Recent Release | 24 Apr 2018
Google Data Centers: Economic Impact and Community Benefit
Economic Consulting Team
Oxford Economics
As of the date of this report, six data centre campuses provide the technological infrastructure necessary to power Google’s operations in the United States. The data centres allow Google to provide search engine, cloud computing, and other web-based services on which so much economic activity now depends. In addition to enabling Google to offer these services to people and businesses throughout the United States, the data centres also contribute significantly to job growth and income gains at both the national and state levels.
Even more important are the economic contributions that Google data centres make to the communities in which they are located. The report details the economic impact and community benefits of these centres.
Key takeaways include:
- In 2016, Google data centres generated $1.3 billion in economic activity, $750 million
in labour income, and 11,000 jobs throughout the United States. - Google data centres create economic opportunity well beyond the campus itself.
- The employment impact of Google data centres is widespread at the state level and
higher than is often supposed. - New analysis in this report finds that the opening of a Google data centre has
a significant benefit on the local economy. - Google’s long-term commitment to take power from renewable energy sources has
economic as well as environmental benefit. - Beyond these measurable effects, the addition of a Google data centre also ripples
through local economies in other, less easily quantifiable ways.
About the team
Our economic consulting team are world leaders in quantitative economic analysis, working with clients around the globe and across sectors to build models, forecast markets and evaluate interventions using state-of-the art techniques. The lead consultant on this project was:
Related Services
Post
The economic impact of abandoning the WTO
Oxford Economics have been commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to provide an independent assessment of the economic impact of WTO dissolution. This report details our findings and the assumptions underpinning our analysis.
Find Out More
Post
The economic impact of the sports activities of public service media
This study shows how the sports activities of public service media supported €4.5 billion of GDP and 57,000 jobs across 31 European countries in 2022. The report also highlights wider economic benefits of public service media sports coverage, such as the way in which it leverages sponsorship income for sports bodies.
Find Out More
Post
Global Trade Education: The role of private philanthropy
Global trade can amplify economic development and poverty alleviation. Capable leaders are required to put in place enabling conditions for trade, but currently these skills are underprovided in developing countries. For philanthropists, investing in trade leadership talent through graduate-level scholarships is an opportunity to make meaningful contributions that can multiply and sustain global economic development.
Find Out More