Cue the haters! Microsoft just bought 183 acres in New Albany (Columbus: buy, contractor)

[dustin183]

Originally Posted by TomJones123

By the very nature of a data center, you raise some intersting question that I hadnt considered. The article doesnt say much so I guess time will tell...but yeah...jobs needed to run a data center are wayyyy less than say a manufacturing facility that actually produces something of value.

Thanks, I'm just wondering what kind of impact it will have on the area. Will there be many new workers, leading to a noticeable demand for housing, and increased economic activity like restaurants and stuff? Or just a handful of workers, so not much impact?

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by dustin183

Thanks, I'm just wondering what kind of impact it will have on the area. Will there be many new workers, leading to a noticeable demand for housing, and increased economic activity like restaurants and stuff? Or just a handful of workers, so not much impact?

I hope so. Im thinking given the acreage and size of the facility that it should generate some development interest. But, like you mentioned, if it doesn't actually employ that many people in context of C-bus then it may not have much going on in the surrounding area.

[Natural510]

http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/jfep.gif

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by dustin183

Thanks, I'm just wondering what kind of impact it will have on the area. Will there be many new workers, leading to a noticeable demand for housing, and increased economic activity like restaurants and stuff? Or just a handful of workers, so not much impact?

From:

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-new...icking-county/

Licking County Commission President Tim Bubb said the theory is Microsoft will build a data center, although he added that the tech giant “(hasn’t) said much” about plans for the future of the property.

“We’ll believe it when we see it,” Bubb said. “They could do anything with it, but they own the land.”

Microsoft declined to comment on its plans for the recent purchase. In an email, a spokesperson wrote the corporation doesn’t “have anything definitive to share at this time” but added it is committed to its cloud-based software.

Perhaps this is just Bill Gates buying up more farmland.

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...risis-farmland

[skeddy]

With the deals they're willing to cut (30-year, 100% tax abatement) I'd expect much more high tech opportunities. They've extended tax abatements from the common 15 years to 30 years for these companies. 30 years is a long time, they may decide to look for greener pastures when they expire.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/...el/7700919001/

[PerryMason614]

Originally Posted by TomJones123

I hope so. Im thinking given the acreage and size of the facility that it should generate some development interest. But, like you mentioned, if it doesn't actually employ that many people in context of C-bus then it may not have much going on in the surrounding area.

It will employ a few hundred people despite the huge acreage, but these are premium jobs in the $100,000 and above range. Very desirable jobs. And taking in total, I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't a couple thousand jobs between Amazon, Google, Facebook and now Microsoft. Let's say 1500 jobs at $100,000 a piece. That's a pretty damn good score economically speaking.

[PerryMason614]

Originally Posted by skeddy

With the deals they're willing to cut (30-year, 100% tax abatement) I'd expect much more high tech opportunities. They've extended tax abatements from the common 15 years to 30 years for these companies. 30 years is a long time, they may decide to look for greener pastures when they expire.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/...el/7700919001/

Tax cuts are nothing of the sort. It's more like a tax freeze, freezing taxes at what is currently paid. Any new property taxes generated by the new development is what is being abated.

The city benefits by the income taxes that are generated from the employees working there. Sometimes part of those go back into the incentive package, part of them don't. Nevertheless, New Albany getting their two and a half percent income tax on $100,000 worth of income also benefits them even if they have to pay back half of it into the incentive pool.

I guess New Albany is sharing part of that with Columbus. Protection money so that Columbus doesn't spread out to that area.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by PerryMason614

That's a pretty damn good score economically speaking.

Oh, no doubt. I know we talk some mild smack about each other cities, but thats in fun and nothing personal. Im glad to see the growth and development.

[5Lakes]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

For the record, this is the general area where all these tech companies are buying up land: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1078...8192?entry=ttu

Time to buy property in Johnstown, OH?

[dustin183]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

Time to buy property in Johnstown, OH?

You're looking at $100-200k+ per acre. I think you missed the boat.