Source:  Press Release, 11/12/10

Facebook, the global social media giant, likes North Carolina for its new $450 million data center.

Gov. Bev Perdue announced this week that Facebook intends to build a new data center in Rutherford County.

“We are proud that Facebook chose to make North Carolina a 'friend.’  The feeling is certainly mutual,” said Gov. Perdue. “You can’t pick up a newspaper, read a magazine or flip on the television without hearing more great news about our state. The investment and jobs at the data center will be a boon to that region of the state, and will help confirm North Carolina’s distinction as a global business destination.”

The project will create 250 construction and mechanical jobs during the 18-month building phase. Once completed the center will employ 35 to 45 full-time and contract workers.

The state has been working with Facebook’s representatives for about a year to help bring together the land, utilities and incentives to make the project a success. North Carolina has become a destination for data center projects including previous announcements by Apple, Google and IBM.

“After a rigorous review of sites across the East Coast, we are pleased to locate our new data center in Rutherford County. The team we will hire here will help us provide faster, more reliable and more robust service to people around the world who rely on Facebook to connect and share,” said Tom Furlong, Director of Site Operations for Facebook.

Follow Gov. Perdue on Facebook. And get updates from Facebook on the new data center.