CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Google has confirmed construction of a new data center at the former Hemlock site in Clarksville.
Details of the highly secretive deal were leaked before the official announcement.
On Tuesday, the company signed the formal agreement for the massive data center.
Mike Evans, Executive Director of the Industrial Development Board (IDB), said the secrecy surrounding the project was part of its deal with Google.
“We are working under the most intense non-disclosure agreement that I have worked with in my 17 years in this position,” he said. “A lot of the details that were worked out are deemed trade secrets and adds intensity to that non-disclosure agreement.”
Clarksville City Council and Montgomery County Commission approved the deal Monday, a little more than a year after the closing of the Hemlock plant.
Economic Development Council (EDC) Chair Katie Gambill said for a high profile company like Google to open up in the Hemlock space gives Clarksville a fresh start.
“It shows that when this community works together, great things happen,” she said.
The data center will initially create 70 jobs and bring more than $600 million to the community.
In addition, city and county officials will begin working with Google to launch a formal community grants program that would support science and technology education, clean energy, and access to the Internet in the area. It can sometimes take years to design and begin to operate a data center.
“This announcement speaks volumes to the fact that Montgomery County continues to be an incredible place to do business and raise a family. Google could have selected any site in the world, but chose to grow in Montgomery County because of our highly skilled labor force, quality of life and progressive leadership efforts,” County Mayor Jim Durrett said.
Cal Wray is Executive Director of the EDC. “White collar professional jobs have been a target of the IDB and the EDC and hopefully this will put us on the radar for future jobs of this nature,” he said. “This definitely puts us on the map where before may have not been looked at because we just weren’t seen as that type of community. Maybe this will change that perception.”
Thanks to an arrangement with TVA, Goggle will be able to scout new renewable energy projects and work with TVA to bring that power onto their electrical grid. Ultimately, this is another step toward Google’s ultimate goal of being powered by 100% renewable energy.
“This site comes with the benefits of existing infrastructure, which we plan to reuse and recycle—for example, many of the office buildings will be used for Googlers when the data center is operational,” said Google Vice President for Data Center Operations, Joe Kava. “At the same time, we have room to innovate and grow both as a data center and as a member of the Montgomery County community. We’re excited about the opportunity to experiment with new kinds of technology and design an impressive facility—we can’t wait.”
City Mayor Kim McMillan said she was thrilled about the announcement. “Google’s presence in our community is a strong foundation for Clarksville to continue to build on as a hub for technology businesses and jobs,” she said. “We look forward to this new and continuing partnership with Google. In fact, the City of Clarksville team has already developed a good working relationship with them.”
“Private dollars invested into the Aspire Clarksville Foundation support local economic development efforts by funding recruitment activities and quality of life initiatives that make Clarksville-Montgomery County an attractive place to grow any business,” Wray continued.
“This accomplishment creates additional opportunities and higher paying jobs for our residents. Furthermore, it aligns with the Aspire Foundation’s strategic plan to diversify the market for technical skills in ways that entice our best and brightest talent to call Clarksville-Montgomery County home for a lifetime.”