SEL: Google Slaps Caldwell County Around

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February 01, 2007

Google Slaps Caldwell County Around

Apparently, the several reports of the $600 million plan to build a facility in Lenoir, NC were not to Google’s liking.

The Raleigh News & Observer reports this morning that Google played hardball with local government officials and state legislators.

As work proceeded on the bill to remove much of its tax burden, Google threatened to end negotiations because legislative staff didn't write exactly what it wanted.

I’m conflicted as to how much a city/county/state should bend for any company that wants to relocate and bring jobs. Caldwell County has suffered higher unemployment then much of North Carolina, as several textile jobs have been shipped overseas. So Google’s presence would mean that much more.

However, it’s a little unreasonable for Google to believe that they can simply dictate a tax incentive plan and expect their word to be law. I guess that’s also the reason they:

…demanded that legislators never speak its name, and had them scolded when word of its interest in North Carolina leaked out…

If no one knows that Google was interested, then no one finds out about taking their toys and going home when they don’t get their way.

Jeremy | permalink | +marktd |

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