Google invests $600 million to expand its Berkeley County data center, bringing total to $1.2 billion

Google has announced that it will be providing an additional $600 million investment to help expand its Berkeley County data center in South Carolina. The news was released by Governor Nikki Haley’s office who said that this would be the third building Google has constructed.

With this new investment, Google has spent $1.2 billion to create a better data center that currently houses computer systems and “associated components that support services such as Google search, Gmail, Google+, and YouTube.” The governor said in a statement: “We celebrate Google’s decision to grow its footprint in Berkeley County with a $600 million investment. When a world-class company like Google decides to expand in the Palmetto State, it shows we are providing the sort of business environment that helps foster success.”

The idea for the data center in Berkeley County was first announced in 2007 and is home to one of several data centers for Google. In setting up shop there, it lists its accomplishments as a good neighbor in the community, including adding more than 110 on-site, full-time jobs. More than $648,000 has been awarded to nearby schools and non-profits while the company has also provided free downtown WiFi in the area. Last June, it says it hosted Googlefest 2012 in Charleston to help educate nonprofits, small businesses, and educators on how to use Google products.

This newest facility, according to the Governor’s office, will be environmentally friendly with Google working on a storm water recycling system in the existing building that will be used to help cool the servers inside the data center. This isn’t the first time the company has ensured that its building is eco-friendly. It made a “voluntary commitment” to ensure that it is carbon neutral and has ensured that its facilities consume 50 percent less energy than a typical data center.

Google says that construction is expected to begin as soon as possible. As mentioned earlier, after it’s completed, Google will have three data center buildings in the area, all built three years apart from one another — the first in 2007, the second in 2010, and now in 2013.

We have reached out to Google for comment and will update this post if we hear back.

Update: Google has released a statement and says that it was attracted to Berkeley County because of not only the energy infrastructure, developable land and available workforce, but also “the extraordinary team from the local community that made us feel welcome. Today’s announcement is just a continuation of our investment in the state. Google is proud to call Berkeley County home.”

The full statement from Governor Haley’s office is below:

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Google’s total investment in Berkeley County will be $1.2 billion with a $600 million expansion announced Friday morning.

The expansion was announced at a groundbreaking ceremony at the Mt. Holly Commerce Park in Berkeley County.

“South Carolina and the Berkeley County community are great places in which to work and grow,” Data Center Operations Manager Eric Wages said. “When Google first announced plans to come to Berkeley County in 2007, we were attracted to not only the energy infrastructure, developable land and available work force, but also the extraordinary team from the local community that made us feel welcome. Today’s announcement is just a continuation of our investment in the state. Google is proud to call Berkeley County home.”

The announcement aligns with Google’s goals to provide the best possible user experience. The data center in Berkeley County houses computer systems and associated components that support services such as Google search, Gmail, Google+ and YouTube. The company is growing capacity to meet demand for Google’s services.

“Today’s announcement is another big win for South Carolina. We celebrate Google’s decision to grow its footprint in Berkeley County with a $600 million investment. When a world-class company like Google decides to expand in the Palmetto State, it shows we are providing the sort of business environment that helps foster success,” Gov. Nikki Haley said.

Google first announced plans for a South Carolina data center in 2007 and made an initial investment of $600 million to get the center up and running. In November 2010, Google announced plans to construct a second building at the site, which is now in operation.

“Google has been a part of South Carolina’s business community for several years now and today’s announcement reaffirms the company’s commitment to our state. Investments like this not only create wealth but also help to sustain the surrounding communities,” Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said.

Google operates some of the world’s most efficient data centers – the company’s facilities consume 50 percent less energy than the typical data center. In 2007, Google made a voluntary commitment to become carbon neutral, and to reach this goal the company strives for efficiency and sustainable business practices. At the Berkeley County site, Google is experimenting with ways to collect stormwater and use it to cool the servers inside the data center.

“When our community came together to develop this business park, we wanted to attract leading companies that would establish deep roots and grow,” state Sen. Paul Campbell said. “Google’s expansion is an example of how Berkeley County can serve the needs of the world’s most innovative and dynamic companies. I hope Google’s growth here prompts other growing businesses to put down roots here.”

Google is also involved in supporting science and mathematics programs in local schools. Since 2008, it has awarded more than $885,000 in grants to local schools and nonprofits. It also has helped implement a free, downtown Wi-Fi network in Goose Creek.

Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images