LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - It has been revealed that Google is the company behind a massive data center project in the Lima area.
The Allen Economic Development Group (AEDG) announced the tech giant is developing the $500 million project, spanning more than 200 acres in American Township. Until Monday's announcement, the development had been referred to as Project BOSC. Of the half-billion-dollar investment, $50 million will go toward local infrastructure, including roundabouts at Bluelick Road and North Cole Street and State Route 115 and North Cole Street. Officials say the data center will support everyday technology for personal electronics, hospitals, and businesses. The Lima facility would become Google's third data center in Ohio.
Local economic leaders say the project could bring widespread economic benefits to the Lima-Allen County region.
"Thousands of jobs will come in with construction and contractors who will be constructing the data center, and not to mention, where are all these contractors going to stay - they're going to stay in our hotels and eat our food at our restaurants and shop at our stores," said Cindy Leis, president and CEO of AEDG. "But the trickle-down effect is going to be, I think, what's going to be long-lasting, as other companies associated with data centers will be wanting to come here."
The project is currently awaiting a decision from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on a draft air permit for generators at the site. The proposal would allow 115 diesel-fueled generators, along with emergency fire pumps, electrical generators, cooling towers, and fuel storage tanks. The deadline for public comment to the Ohio EPA is March 18th.
The Allen Economic Development Group says a landing page with more information about the project will be available on its website in the coming weeks.
Below is the full press release from AEDG:
