Google ‘exploring’ $600 million expansion of its Charlotte region data center

Tech giant Google confirmed it is considering expanding its Caldwell County data center, and local leaders cleared the way this week for that $600 million investment by approving incentives for the project.

Google’s proposed expansion is on about 60 acres in Lenoir, adjacent to its data center campus at 708 Lynhaven Drive . It could create 30 full-time jobs. Lenoir, a city with over 18,000 residents, is near Hickory and about 75 miles northwest of Charlotte.

“We are exploring the potential expansion of our existing data center campus in Caldwell County,” Google said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer Wednesday evening. “While we do not have a confirmed timeline for development for the site, we want to ensure we have the option to further grow should our business demand it.”

Such a move would further solidify the area around Hickory as a hub for data centers from tech titans. In neighboring Catawba County, Apple and Microsoft .

Google’s investment and job creation were listed as “Project Cardinal” in and agenda for a joint meeting and public hearing Tuesday for the city of Lenoir and Caldwell County Board of Commissioners.

For a $600 million investment, the city and the county approved performance-based incentive grants of 50% real property and 85% personal property that would be awarded over 20 years, according to a joint news release on Wednesday.

The value of the incentives will be based on the property assessment after the building is completed, Caldwell County Economic Development Director Ashley Bolick told The Charlotte Observer. Google has up to five years to complete the build-out after the documents are signed, she said.

Google is the largest taxpayer in Caldwell County, County Commissioner Donnie Potts told The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday.

“Google gives a lot back to the community,” Potts said. “We’re proud to have them here.”

The city of Lenoir also approved the closure of a segment of Virginia Street for Google’s campus expansion for operational and security purposes, according to the news release.

Lenoir also will provide additional water capacity as needed for the expansion, with Google contributing $6.8 million to ensure adequate water flow at the campus.

Google in the community

In 2007, Google said it would invest $1.2 billion in the 337,000-square-foot facility in Lenoir and create more than 250 jobs, according to the tech company’s website.

Google also has invested more than $5.5 million in the community.

“They have been very supportive of the local schools and many nonprofits, and I believe this project will open up new opportunities for their business and for investment in our community,” Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons said in a statement.