Facebook, Inc., has recently announced its plans to build its next data center in Henrico County, Virginia, having already established its data centers in North Carolina, Iowa, and Oregon.
The social media company agreed to invest USD 1 billion in the state, USD 250 million out of which would be utilized to establish solar facilities that will power the data center, while the remaining USD 750 million would be utilized for the construction of the data center in an area spanning 970,000 square feet. Sources reveal that the Henrico Data Center will be facilitated with 100 percent renewable energy.
For the record, Virginia boasts of a reputation of being one of the forerunners in information technology, having accounted for a capital investment of around USD 12 billion over the last decade. Moreover, the state has more than 650 data processing, hosting, and related establishments which currently employ more than 13,500 state citizens. Similar moves undertaken by industry giants are likely to increase Virginia’s scope to become a global leader in the technology cosmos, as stated by the Governor of Virginia. In addition, Facebook’s director of data center strategy also alludes to Virginia being an apt location for its new data center with an abundant source of clean and renewable energy, extensive pool of local talent, access to powerful fiber, and robust electric grids.
Industry experts proclaim Facebook’s decision to establish its new data center in Henrico County as a colossal economic win for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Furthermore, according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Facebook is entitled to receive around USD 19 million in exemptions of state tax through 2035.
With this massive investment by Facebook, the project is expected to bring thousands of construction jobs and over 100 full-time operational jobs to the region.
For the record, Facebook hit 2 billion monthly users in the month of June 2017, as cited by anonymous sources.
