Utah Wins eBay's Bid

eBay Inc. and the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) just announced the closing of a land sale in South Jordan City Utah where eBay will develop its first next-generation data center. The data center will include new technologies and services that will enable eBay to deliver improved capabilities to its hundreds of millions of active users across its many web sites.

The new facility will generate approximately 50 new positions at an average of 150 percent of the Salt Lake County annual median wage which may change yearly. Over a 10-year period, the new positions are expected to generate new state wages of approximately $23.7 million. New state tax revenue is expected to exceed $109 million during the same period. The facility will be the second major building within Daybreak Commerce Park, a 250-acre light industrial park that broke ground last year.

"We are pleased to formally announce our plans to build a data center in South Jordan. The new data center is part of eBay’s plans to construct next-generation advanced data centers to support business-critical technology," said Terri Jordan, vice president of operations, Marketplaces, eBay. "eBay gives its thanks to the state of Utah, South Jordan City, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and Kennecott Land Company for their outstanding support that made this project possible."

eBay’s next generation data center will be designed and built with a focus on reducing its environmental impact. These efficiencies will be generated from a number of technologies incorporated into the mechanical and electrical systems of the facility including a water side economizer that uses outside air to cool water versus motorized chillers and variable speed drives to run fans and chillers on an on-demand basis. Additionally, rainwater will be used to supply the cooling tower and for landscape irrigation.

“Utah is very pleased that eBay has decided to build this leading edge data center in South Jordan. This decision is another vote of confidence in Utah as a ‘Best State for Business’ and its quality workforce that leads the nation,” said Jason Perry, executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

“The active engagement of so many groups committed to enabling eBay’s project underscores why Utah is at the top of site selection lists across the country,” said Scott Kaufmann, vice president of commercial development, Kennecott Land Company.

“South Jordan City is excited to welcome eBay Inc. as our next corporate citizen and know they will enjoy all that makes South Jordan and the State of Utah a great place to work, live, and play. We applaud eBay Inc. for being a leader in the internet business industry and their efforts to expand their scope of services in South Jordan City. Together, in partnership with Kennecott Land and the State of Utah, we welcome them as a partner with the City of South Jordan, as we build our future together,” said Brian Preece, Director of Long-term Planning and Sustainability for South Jordan City.

TN Nabs $2.5-billion Energy Investment

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today joined with the chief executive officers of Hemlock Semiconductor and its parent company, Dow Corning, to announce Hemlock Semiconductor’s plan to locate a polycrystalline silicon manufacturing operation at the Commerce Park megasite in Clarksville, TN.

The facility, which will produce a primary component used in the manufacture of solar panels and other energy equipment, will mean an investment of $1.2 to $2.5 billion dollars by the company and the creation of 500 jobs, with the potential of employing up to 900 people within five to seven years. If plans are fully implemented, the project would become the largest announced corporate capital investment in Tennessee history.

“This announcement shows Tennessee’s commitment to becoming a significant player in the development of ‘green collar’ jobs related to clean energy technologies,” said Bredesen. “With this announcement, Hemlock Semiconductor and Dow Corning have signaled a major shift in the direction of Tennessee’s and the nation’s economies. The people of Tennessee appreciate the leadership of both companies for their confidence in our state.”

A formal announcement was issued by the companies this morning, to be followed by an announcement ceremony in Clarksville Monday afternoon on the campus of Austin Peay State University. The governor and commissioner will be joined by Hemlock President and CEO Rick Doornbos, along with the chairman, president and CEO of Dow Corning, Dr. Stephanie Burns, and U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee.

“We live in a time when a growing reliance on sustainable forms of energy is leading to growth rates of 30 percent to 40 percent annually for the solar industry,” said Kisber. “This announcement means Tennessee will play a leading role in the growth of solar technology for many years to come.”

“Tennessee’s business climate coupled with a superb site in Clarksville, a strong, productive workforce and an excellent location in proximity to our supply chain and customers made this the right decision,” said Hemlock Semiconductor President and CEO Rick Doornbos. “This investment will allow us to meet growing customer demand both in the near term and in the decades ahead.”

“The state of Tennessee and the Clarksville-Montgomery County community showed true partnership in making this project a reality,” said Dr. Stephanie Burns, chairman, president and CEO of Dow Corning. “I believe this is a watershed announcement for all of us.”

“Today’s announcement is huge and welcome good news,” said U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander. “It means a cleaner world and better jobs for Tennesseans. I congratulate Governor Bredesen and Clarksville-Montgomery County and pledge to do everything I can to help this project succeed.”

“This huge success proves that going through the diligent megasite certification process and being prepared gives a community a strong advantage,” said John Bradley, senior vice president, economic development, Tennessee Valley Authority. “The state of Tennessee, Clarksville-Montgomery County and community leaders have been working towards this day for two and a half years.”

“Hemlock Semiconductor’s investment in Clarksville and Montgomery County shows tremendous confidence in the capability of the people of this community,” said Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers. “I firmly believe Hemlock Semiconductor’s decision will have a profound effect on the local economy.”

“An excellent quality-of-life and a hard-working, productive workforce were key ingredients in convincing Hemlock Semiconductor that Clarksville is the best place for the company to expand,” said Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper. “We’re excited about the opportunity this presents for our people and excited about the future of Clarksville.”

When complete, the Clarksville facility will have the capacity to manufacture up to 10,000 metric tons of polycrystalline silicon annually but is being designed with the capability to manufacture up to 34,000 metric tons. The plant will occupy the entire 1,215 acre Commerce Park megasite and the company plans to acquire an additional 947 acres adjacent to the site for additional build-out and to provide buffer space.

In the past five years, Hemlock Semiconductor and Dow Corning have invested more than $4.5 billion dollars in new capacity. In addition to the Clarksville announcement, Hemlock Semiconductor today also announced an expansion of its existing facilities in Michigan which, when combined with the Clarksville facility, will give the company the capacity to produce 45,000 metric tons of polycrystalline silicon annually, exceeding the combined production capacity of all other manufacturers around the world.