Rural North Carolina Experiences Data Center Boom

1sockchuck writes "Rural counties in western North Carolina have hit the data center trifecta, landing major projects from Google, Apple and Facebook. These marquee tech companies will invest more than $2 billion in small towns like Forest City, Kings Mountain and Maiden, a town of just 3,300 residents. How did western North Carolina become a tech hub? Aggressive tax incentives and an abundant supply of cheap power, a legacy of the textile mills that once thrived in the region, which narrowly missed winning a $499 million Microsoft data center project that ended up in Virginia."

Re:Jobs

[PawNtheSandman]

I'd relocate there in a second. Any job postings up yet?

Jobless Recovery??

[DaMattster]

Fine, okay, I am glad that Western North Carolina is going to get these data centers. But, are these companies planning on using local talent or importing talent from other areas? I would be happier if these companies planned on hiring local people and providing training opportunities. The reality of this data center boom is that very few of the local residents will realize any benefit beyond low level employment as cleaners or security guards and there will be very few jobs.

Re:acres of forested property...

[Notquitecajun]

Resi internet, I imagine, will be a problem that will be solved VERY quickly there with a company enterprising enough to see the need and fill it.

Re:Hey wow, this is true, I live here.

[alen]

it's not like states and localities will collect any taxes if companies don't open up there? might as well give out some nice breaks which are just making up for crazy tax laws in this country for corporations. it's not like tax payers will pay anything. in the end the infrastructure spending will be good for the local areas

Re:Jobs

[JonySuede]

I am a knowledgeable tech work and I accepted a 50% salary drop to move back to my home town. Living in a big house for about a quarter of the price of my last rent and only having to drive 5 minutes to work is priceless.

Re:Jobs

[NatasRevol]

Hope you don't have kids.

Education was the reason I moved from rural North Carolina. They are the reason for No Child Left Behind. The teachers help push the kids up and over that very low bar just to get their bonuses. I've seen second graders that couldn't read their math problems.

Well, that and all the Nascar rednecks. Everyone's password is nascar7, nascar34 whatever number their favorite driver is.

Re:Jobs

[NatasRevol]

So 41 out of 51 isn't close to the worst?

http://www.alec.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Report_Card_on_American_Education [alec.org]

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll move my kids to where most educators are focused on ranking at the top end, rather than how many kids made the NCLB, and how that affects the school.