Google Moving Ahead on Proposed Data Center Near Palo

Google has announced that it is taking the next steps towards a possible data center near the Linn County town of Palo.

Google Sends Letter to Palo Residents

The Corridor Business Journal reports that Google has mailed a letter to residents with some of the details of the proposed 545-acre data center. In that letter, Google vice president of global infrastructure Steve Walter stated, "I wanted to help share more information so the community can hear directly from us about what this project will look like and how it can benefit Palo." The letters were expected to reach Palo residents by last Friday, according to the CBJ.

Public Meeting Scheduled to Answer Questions

The CBJ reports that a public meeting has been scheduled to answer the community's questions about the proposed data center. The meeting is set for Thursday, October 22nd at the Palo Community Center, and it is open to everyone. Officials with Google say that the meeting is to gather public input on the project and to better understand how the company can invest in the long-term success of Palo.

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Google Plans to Work With Palo and Linn County

Google says that it intends to pursue a voluntary annexation process with the city of Palo, according to the CBJ. Google says that it intends to file the necessary paperwork within the next few weeks. Linn County will still retain the ability to supervise and regulate the project, which Google says it welcomes.

The CBJ also confirms that the proposed Palo data center is directly related to Google's new 25-year purchase agreement with NextEra Energy to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center. Google would use most of the power produced.