Google Says It is Considering Blythewood-Area Site

By Jason Ryan, The State, Columbia, S.C.

Feb. 3–Google confirmed Friday it is evaluating land near Blythewood for a data center, and S.C. Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor said the company also is also close to building outside Charleston.

“We feel pretty comfortable that Berkeley County is a go,” said Taylor, breaking from a strict policy not to discuss state economic development negotiations.

Google is eyeing land in Blythewood and Berkeley County for $200 million to $800 million data centers — warehouses full of computers that need massive amounts of energy and water. Each could employ 400 people.

Taylor said he has met with Google officials since March. In Blythewood, he said, permits to alter wetlands on the 466-acre site must be approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before any construction could begin.

Google spokesman Barry Schnitt was less bullish than Taylor about Berkeley County, saying both sites are still being evaluated and under negotiation.

Business needs and environmental conditions will control building decisions, he said.

Unlike the Berkeley County site, no land has been purchased in Blythewood.

Schnitt was surprised at some of Taylor’s comments, saying he had spoken to Commerce officials only about his public confirmation of Google’s interest in Blythewood.

“I would think they could keep them straight,” Schnitt said of the two sites. “I’m just surprised we’re even talking about Berkeley County.”

Reach Ryan at (803) 771-8595.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The State, Columbia, S.C.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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