NEW JOBS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES CLICK IN CALDWELL COUNTY
Date Posted: 7/11/2007
$600 Million Google Project Boosts Business
For One Family, A Reason to Believe
(Lenoir, N.C.) – As construction of Google’s data center in Lenoir ramps up, so do job and business opportunities in a region racked for years by losses.
Six months after the company announced its plans in Lenoir, approximately 11 businesses are engaged in work at the 220-acre Google site (including six North Carolina-based businesses). Ranging from construction contractors to security operations, the businesses employ around 240 people, many from Caldwell County.
“That’s great news for our county, which has seen some of the highest unemployment numbers in North Carolina,” says Faye Higgins, chairperson of the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners. “We’re building a brighter future.”
Google’s announcement also jump-started other business activity. Motels and restaurants are busy, and a previously deserted shopping center is in development to reopen.
In addition to recently making the first hire for the data center (site manager Tom Jacobik), Google has also launched a Web site to provide information on the project (http://www.google.com/lenoir).
“The area is in the process of rebuilding its economy,” says Dale Carroll, president and CEO of AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, which introduced a site location firm to the region in April of 2005. This firm later became the lead consultant for the Google project. “The Google win is a big step forward in that ongoing effort. Whether it means hiring local folks or bringing in people who expand the talent pool here, we’re seeing important progress.”
Back to Life
For many in Caldwell County, Google’s investment is reason to put faith in the future.
John Moore grew up in Lenoir, but worried about his chances to build a prosperous future there. After graduating from college, he spent a decade far from home in the construction business. Moore still felt uncertain when he returned to Lenoir to start a family and a business – Brushy Mountain Builders.
Then came the Google announcement. “That was the shot in the arm we’ve been waiting for,” says Moore. “Google solidified our decision to invest here.”
Brushy Mountain Builders won a contract to provide carpentry, masonry and general labor at the Google site. Just as important as the work, according to Moore, is a sense of optimism: “When I was young our parents knew their kids would have to move away. But with new types of industry coming to town, we know that after college our kids will have good job opportunities here.”
Wackenhut Corporation provides security at the Google site and is among its largest employers. Former United States Army drill instructor and Valdese resident Kelly Bennett is among its approximately two dozen officers.
“My wife and I are excited about the opportunities and benefits at Wackenhut,” says Bennett. “There are housing developments currently under construction in town that I would love to provide for my family.”
Inspired by the Google announcement and the prospect of an economic upturn, Burlington-based Morton and Sharpe Commercial Development Group decided to buy and redevelop a shopping center in Lenoir.
“We would not have bought the shopping center if it was not for the Google announcement,” says David Morton, managing member. “And now we have a shopping center that is going to employ more than 100 local citizens.”
What’s Ahead
Google’s data centers are a worldwide network of specialized buildings that contain the computers that support Google services. When complete, the Lenoir data center will employ more than 200 people at an average annual salary of $48,000 (the average salary for Caldwell County is $29,000).
Plans call for the first building on the site to be operational at the end of 2007. When complete, Google will be the third largest taxpayer in the area. The company has already invested $4 million to cover certain existing development costs and costs to come.
To prepare residents to compete for the new job opportunities, leaders at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute are developing an Information Technology Institute. The program will provide specialized training for entry-level information technology positions.
“This area is working hard to complement traditional economic engines with new ones,” says Carroll of AdvantageWest. “Google’s presence is really a beginning rather than an end. It’s providing good jobs and making a statement that our region is ready for the future.” Carroll concluded, “Caldwell County and Western North Carolina are ‘pointing and clicking’ to a more prosperous future.”
About AdvantageWest Economic Development Group
AdvantageWest Economic Development Group (www.advantagewest.com) is a regional organization serving the 23 westernmost counties of North Carolina. Programs of AdvantageWest include the Blue Ridge Industrial Council, Blue Ridge Food Ventures LLC, Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council, the WNC Film Commission and MountainSouth USA. Strategic partners of AdvantageWest include the NC Department of Commerce, the Blue Ridge Angel Investors Network and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
Back
|
"As a life-long resident of western North Carolina I can’t imagine a more beautiful or diverse place to live and work."
D. Samuel Neill
Attorney-At-Law & AdvantageWest Board Member
|
