Google is Expanding in Iowa

Even though my article on Google coming to Iowa didn't get "dugg" I was one of the first to write about it. Everything was confirmed later when I did the follow up post.

Now, some several months later, Google is in the Iowa news again. It turns out that Google was really impressed with the local talent pool that turned out for the interviews and may encourage an immediate expansion.

The Omaha World Herald reports that "Google has purchased almost 1,000 acres of rural land south of the city for a possible second site for its Council Bluffs operations, said Mark Norman of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce.

Part of the land is being graded and evaluated for construction, Norman said.

Google is developing other data centers across the country. But none of the announced sites is larger than the Bluffs site. The next largest site appears to be Pryor, Okla., where Google owns 800 acres. The company has 400 to 500 acres in Lenoir, N.C."

Just to give you an idea how big 1000 acres is - A square mile is only 640 acres. City officials say that " It's too soon to know how extensive Google's development will be..." but if Google is has bought up 1000 acres, I am sure they aren't doing it just to have the land. We will have to see. Regardless of the outcome, this is a good thing for Iowa. After all, this is in addition to the press we just got on American Chopper! Anyone see the ethanol powered chopper episodes?