THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) - Internet search engine giant Google has agreed to pay $1.87 million for 30 acres of industrial-zoned land in The Dalles, in a deal that is expected to bring up to 100 new jobs to the Wasco County community.
Under the deal, which was approved Wednesday by Port of The Dalles commissioners, California-based Google could also purchase three other area sites. Both parties have signed off on a sales agreement, but the deal is contingent on conditions in the agreement being met, such as tax incentives and power supply, The Dalles Chronicle reported.
If initial development plans go forward, the project would create between 50 and 100 jobs, earning an estimated average of $60,000 annually in wages and benefits - twice the county average income, according to terms in the agreements.
"I think it's going to help the economy," said Wasco County Judge Dan Ericksen. "I think it's going to help the attitude and the general feeling in the area that things are picking up and we're on the right track."
The facility would contain Google's technology infrastructure.
Construction costs are estimated at $5 million to $20 million over time.
A Google spokesperson declined to provide additional project details, citing concerns over industry confidentiality.
The spokesperson said Google does not yet have a specific project completion date, but said the company hopes to start construction soon.
The deal could qualify for long-term "rural enterprise zone tax credits", which are available in limited circumstances to businesses locating within one of 40 "nonurban" enterprise zones across the state.
These zones are for counties with long-standing annual unemployment rates high enough or per capita incomes low enough to meet specific criteria, according to state information.
