Google plans to open a "server farm" in Council Bluffs that will eventually employ 200.
Executives from one of the Internet’s most recognizable company’s joined state officials today in making the announcement.
"I believe Google chose Iowa because our state is blessed with many gifts — from a world class workforce to an inviting business environment and a quality of life that is second to none," Governor Chet Culver said.
At first the computer servers will be housed in a building that alreadfy sits on 55-acres of land in Council Bluffs. Officials say at least one more building is to be constructed, and the server farm could eventually encompass nearly 2000 acres.
Google’s $600 million investment was lured to Iowa, in part, by new state incentives. For example, huge rooms of computer servers generate excessive heat and require abnormally high amounts of air conditioning. The State of Iowa has agreed not to charge sales taxes on the utility bills for "server farms."
In addition, the state will not charge taxes on all the computers Google will purchase.
Google is often referred to as a "search engine" on the Internet and the word "google" has become a verb in our language. Google, the way, is a play on the word googol, which refers to the number represented by the numeral one followed by 100 zeros