Google Heading to S.C.: Army Corps of Engineers Gives Internet Giant OK to Build Server Farm In

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

Jun. 30–Google has been given the green light to build a server farm outside Blythewood.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the Internet company a permit Friday to alter about 14 acres of wetlands on a 466-acre site just east of Interstate 77.

The company filed paperwork with the Army Corps in January outlining a complex with eight computer warehouses and accompanying electrical substations and cooling towers for the computers.

Google spokesmen could not be reached for comment Friday.

It is unknown if or when the company would begin construction on the project, which would be used to store data and help run Google’s popular Internet searches and other operations.

Google also announced this year that it is building server farms in Lenoir, N.C., and near Goose Creek.

Both are said to cost about $600 million and will employ about 200 employees each. Annual salaries are estimated to average $48,000 a year.

Columbia passed an ordinance in December agreeing to sell Google the city-owned land for about $8 million.

In January, Google spokesman Barry Schnitt said there is no immediate need to build.

“For some of these sites, we may begin construction as soon as possible,” Schnitt said at the time. “Others can be held in reserve to take the place of another site that doesn’t work out or to fulfill future capacity needs.”

Reach Ryan at (803) 771-8595.

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