Georgia gov: Facebook to put $750M data center near Atlanta
Source: Associated Press
R.j. Rico, Associated Press
Updated 4:37 pm, Wednesday, March 7, 2018
ATLANTA (AP) — Facebook is investing $750 million over the next five years to build a huge data center outside of Atlanta as the demand for data storage continues to increase.
Gov. Nathan Deal made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday, a week after Georgia lawmakers made national news for punishing Delta Air Lines over its decision to cut ties with the National Rifle Association.
The social media giant's 9th U.S. data center will be built in Newton County, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) east of downtown Atlanta. The Menlo Park, California, company has been adding data centers in the U.S. and internationally to handle the growing number of photos, videos and additional digital content from its 2 billion users.
Deal has made bolstering Georgia's business climate a primary focus of his two terms in office. Last Wednesday, he had sought to assuage anyone who might doubt Georgia's business-friendly reputation due to the Delta controversy, calling the issue an "unbecoming squabble."
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Facebook-to-build-750M-data-center-east-of-12735994.php
Gov. Nathan Deal
= new reply since forum marked as read
* Several small country towns will become gentrified. Prepare to move out, current renters.
* Not many employees in data centers - mostly geeks and security.
* Uses tremendous amounts of electricity. Central Georgia is subject to tornados and frequent outages.
* Governor is ugly as a mud fence.
Not at all trying to minimize the positives that may result for that area.
When I think of tornados (being originally from near the old tornado alley), I think of a wide west-to-east band. But you're right, it would be more accurate to say north-central. The point is that they would want an area with highly reliable energy supply, and plenty of it. That area may or may not be near a high level feeder, but they will pay regardless for some system expansion, IMO.
However, I seriously thought there has been several cases of bands of tornados that came through there via Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in the last several years. Perhaps they stayed further South. If so, good for you. We have our share here.
Many areas I've read about where a high-tech facility moves in go through substantial cultural change within ten years or so. The residents of the area may or may not find that desirable. But, you're right, it probably will only affect one or two towns.
I just threw in the comment about Gov. Deal in jest because of the huge unbecoming photo posted in the OP.
Platinum level corporate affiliate -- sponsoring the National Association of Secretaries of State --
