(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with Google said Tuesday (Today), that the recent construction phase completed by Google at its Council Bluffs data center site brings the data company’s total investment in Council Bluffs to $5 billion. The Google data center in Council Bluffs is one of the company’s largest facilities. Officials say it has created jobs for over 900 people in a variety of full-time and external supplier roles, including computer technicians, engineers, and various food services, maintenance, and security roles.

Google says it has established a long-term commitment to the state and has continued to live the mission of organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible by all, through support of projects and initiatives that help bridge the digital divide. Internet accessibility is a priority for Google in home communities like Council Bluffs, and Google was a key partner in the effort to bring the BLink community wi-fi network online for Council Bluffs. (All photos submitted by Google)

Google Council Bluffs exterior w/deer.

Google Council Bluffs Network Room

Google Council Bluffs exterior

Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh says “Google’s $5 billion of capital investment represents an unprecedented financial commitment within the entire metropolitan area that is by itself staggering. However, financial expenditure doesn’t truly quantify what having a partner like Google has meant to Council Bluffs over these past 15 years. During that time frame, Google has regularly contributed to the education of our students, helped our local businesses bring their goods and services to market by teaching them ways to establish their own Google Business Profile, and they regularly serve as a contributing partner toward BLink, the City’s free Wi-Fi network. Through these and many other ways, Google has helped to turn Council Bluffs into a hub for technology, innovation, and opportunity.”

Since 2009, Google has awarded more than $3 million to local schools and nonprofit organizations including efforts to expand computer science education and upskilling Iowans to help grow their careers and expand their businesses.

Throughout Iowa, 163,000 Iowa businesses have connected with their customers through Google, and Grow with Google has partnered with more than 160 organizations in the state to train tens of thousands of Iowans on digital skills, including public libraries, chambers of commerce, and more. Google has also supported STEM learning for 1K+ Iowa students through hands-on learning opportunities like the Anti-Gravity Games and CS First coding events. Last year alone, 11,000 businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and developers helped generate $1.5 billion of economic activity for Iowa using Google’s products and services.

Ryan Ackels, Site Lead at Google’s data center in Council Bluffs said “Google is proud to call Iowa home, and this continued level of investment in our data center facilities underscores our long-term commitment to the state and strong desire to be an active member of this community.”