Facebook (FB, Tech30) plans to invest $1 billion in the state in all. The company is putting $750 million into construction and $250 million to multiple solar facilities that will power the data center, McAuliffe said.

“Working with companies like Facebook and many others, we are advancing Virginia’s position as a global leader in the technology economy,” McAuliffe said at an event announcing the decision.

Source: CNN Technology News

Date: October 5th, 2017

Link (video is not related to article): http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/05/technology/facebook-data-center-virginia/index.html

Discussion

1) “One of the many important factors in our search for a new data center location is being able to source clean and renewable energy. We also look for great partnerships within the local community, robust infrastructure … and a strong pool of local talent.”  There are many places in the U.S. where you can put solar panels more effectively, so what is it that actually matters most to Facebook with this decision?

2) What local cities for you would meet Facebook’s criteria, and why?