The following development organizations are recipients of Expansion Solutions Magazine’s 2011 Awards of Excellence in the *** Data Centers*** industry category. These awards recognize organizations who have demonstrated exceptional progress and potential in the development of their areas -- by successfully recruiting, retaining and growing businesses. The winners below are listed in alphabetical order and are reflective of our top 5 selections.
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Catawba County Economic Development Corporation
Hickory, NC
www.catawbaedc.org
Catawba County is home to many affordable and versatile industrial sites in the Charlotte region, offering manufacturing and other buildings for sale or lease in their increasingly diverse economic climate. Traditionally considered a center of the manufacturing industry, Catawba County and the Hickory Metro have spent years diversifying their economic base and are proudly ushering in a new era of industry and economic development. View specific available properties, including industrial sites and office buildings on their website. Companies can relocate or expand operations into existing facilities or start fresh by building on one of their 80+ industrial sites in the Charlotte region ranging from 2 to 238 acres.
City of Draper Economic Development
Draper, UT
www.draper.ut.us
In August, 2011 online auction giant eBay announced that it is investing $110 million in an expansion of its operations in Draper, UT. The project, which will receive a $38.2-million tax credit from the state, will create 2,200 jobs.
eBay has existing facilities in Draper and South Jordan that employ about 1,400. The company has had a presence in Utah for 12 years, expanding in 2009 by adding 400 jobs. State officials say the new jobs will exceed 125 percent of the average wage in Salt Lake County. “We expect the (new) facility to be open in about 2013,” eBay communications director Michael Frandsen told Desert News.
In Utah, eBay currently operates a major customer service center in Draper that includes support functions such as human resources, finance, account management, call center management, training, legal, along with product and project management. The company also operates a data center in South Jordan.
Gov. Gary Herbert called the Draper expansion project an indicator of the kind of commitment companies like eBay have toward Utah and the belief eBay has in the state’s economic future. “They believe that building and expanding here suits their needs,” Herbert said. “When world-class companies like eBay pledge partnership with Utah, it is a vote of confidence in the economic growth and stability that we are currently enjoying.”
Before the announcement, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development board voted to grant the company a post-performance refundable tax credit of $38.2 million over 20 years..The latest incentive combines with two previous job-based incentives — in May 2009 and October 2009 — to create a single comprehensive incentive package based on eBay expanding its workforce by more than 2,480 Utah employees at an average salary that will exceed 125 percent of the Salt Lake County average wage. If the company meets the hiring goals, the result would be more than $127 million in new state tax revenue over the 20-year period. Ground-breaking for the new facility is expected to take place before the end of this year.
City of Highland Community Development
Highland, IL
www.ci.highland.il.us
In the St. Louis Metropolitan area, Highland is an innovative community that has earned a reputation as a municipal leader in promoting economic growth and support to companies located within the city as well as companies relocating or expanding to the city.
Located just thirty minutes from St. Louis, Highland is the premier business community in Madison County offering quality, affordable utilities which are owned and operated by the City to ensure that each customer receives the best service at the best price.
Most recently, Highland has developed a fiber optics system, known as Highland Communication Services (HCS), to provide superior voice, data, and video services to the community. The system allows for more stability and better quality phone systems for call centers at competitive prices. Due to the locality of HCS, the organization guarantees more rapid service and assistance.
Even as Highland continues to enjoy business growth and opportunities, it maintains a true sense of community and a steadfast dedication to proactively developing the local economy.
City of Guntersville
Guntersville, AL
www.guntersvilleal.org
www.connersisland.org
Conner’s Island business park combines natural beauty and true business advantages with 400-plus acres complete with a HUBZone location, a TVA Data Center designation, and AdvantageSite assurance for a smooth location process. From manufacturing and R&D to data center and corporate facilities, Conners Island proves that business and natural beauty make great neighbors.
Literally surrounded by Lake Guntersville in North Alabama’s Mountain-Lakes region, this is one city that makes quality of life a way of life. And that quality is reflected at every turn by the stunning beauty of nature’s handiwork that frames friendly neighborhoods, progressive business districts, excellent schools, and unmatched recreational opportunities.
If you’re looking for that perfect location Conners Island is the natural choice. It’s where business lives on the lake.
Schertz Economic Development Corporation
Schertz, TX
www.schertzedc.com
Nearly 40 percent of the Schertz’s adult population works in management, professional and other related occupations. In addition, various universities and world class research centers are within 30 miles of the city. Their regional assets, coupled with San Antonio’s 950,000 area workers, offers businesses the skills, education, and long-term employees they need to compete in today’s global markets.
As is often the case, one major project prompts other companies to follow, opening the floodgates for an influx of investment and high-tech jobs.
Locations in the San Antonio MSA, including neighboring Schertz, Texas are prime examples of this clustering effect. Microsoft’s decision to locate a $550 million data center in the Westover Hills area was followed by announcements of data center projects by the NSA and Stream Realty.
The San Antonio MSA provides an example of data center clustering, in which a regional market becomes an aggregation point for many mission-critical facilities. This trend has usually been focused on major Internet markets (NYC, Washington, and Silicon Valley) but is now providing opportunities for smaller markets, such as Schertz, for second-tier markets amid shifting criteria for data center site location.
Schertz, with its close proximity to San Antonio, offers the advantages of a fast-growing community without the drawbacks of a larger city. Schertz, TX is perfectly positioned to take advantage of its strategic location in order to add to the area’s burgeoning data center industry.
