Internet search giant Google Incorporated will build a $600 million data center in Council Bluffs employing up to 200 people at an average annual salary of $50,000.

Jobs at the Google data center will focus on ensuring that the facility’s computers are running at optimum speed and efficiency 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Positions require a variety of skills, ranging from experienced data center managers and Linux administrators to technology assistants.

Governor Chet Culver made the announcement Tuesday morning during a news conference in the Bluffs.

The facility is expected to open in the spring of 2009 at the Council Bluffs Industrial Foundation's new business park. The center will house computers that run the search engine's services.

"We're thrilled to announce our plans for a data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which will help us continue to provide our users and customers with the best possible service,” said Paul Froutan, Director of Operations, Google Inc. “We look forward to joining the community and are grateful for the support from the state and local governments throughout our evaluation process.”

In an effort aimed at attracting Google, Iowa lawmakers last session passed a bill that would exempt some sales taxes for computer-related businesses.

The Mountain View, California-based company also will get a property tax break through 2024.

Google has a strategic interest in the central region of the United States. The region is a busy crossroads of Internet activity, and Google has had to make sure it can process requests from customers and prospective customers living in or traveling through this broad and diverse region.

In late 2006, the company looked at states from the Appalachians to the Rocky Mountains as possible hosts for data center facilities before deciding to start the project in Council Bluffs. Another project near Pryor, Oklahoma was also recently announced.

The first of the 200 jobs that will be available as Google sets up shop in Council Bluffs are already posted. Click here.