Yahoo! confirms WNY site - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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Yahoo!, Tuesday morning, confirmed it will be buildinghthe 190,000-square-foot center that could employ, initially, 125 Yahoo! has pegged a 30-acr e site in the park for the complex. Yahoo!’s decision is considered a major victory, especiallyu against a backdrop of a weakened economy where unemployment has increased in past year in Erie Countyto 8.1 percent from 5.5 percent and in Niagara Countg to 9.3 percent from 6.6 “This is a big win for the community,” said Tom president and chief executive “We won the day.” Yahoo! was beiny courted by several states including Ohio, Pennsylvaniaz and Illinois for the center. All offered a handsomr array of incentives.
“When a high tech companhy like Yahoo! picks a communituy like WesternNew York, it’s like a lighthouse,” said Sen. Charlea Schumer, New York’s senior senator, who playeds a key role in Lockport landingf thedata center. The regio n crafted its own aggressive incentive package includinyg the offering 15 megawattsof low-cost hydropowerd that could save Yahoo! an estimated $100 millio n over a 15-year period. also offeredd job training grants andother incentives. High leve pitches also came from Gov. David Patersojn and Schumer. Schumer made personal calls to Yahoo!! CEO Carol Bartz to push the region.
Kucharski said it also helpe that the region offereda half-dozen sites and not just a singular location. It also helped that a friendshio quickly developed between the Yahoo site selection team and the local economicdevelopmenty community. “We developed a nice relationship with them and that helpex makethis happen,” Kucharski “They were impressed that every time they we could assemble our team on a very shortr notice and give them the answers they Construction on the data center will begin in August, said Davidr Dibble, Yahoo! senior vice president. The centeer will be open by May. Kucharskik said there is a myriad positives that will comefrom Yahoo!’e decision.
The BNE will use it in its outreachg to other companies itis courting, he said. “It confirmws our ability to attract high tech and highprofilre companies,” Kucharski said. “To get a name companty like Yahoo! says a lot to the rest of the industriewout there.” Yahoo! joins the ranks of , that have eithert opened or expanded back office operationws in the region in recent “You add it into the mix of the some of the other companies we’ve landed and it becomes a very impressivs list,” Kucharski said.