Utah Wins eBay’s Bid

eBay Inc. and the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) just announced the closing of a land sale in South Jordan City Utah where eBay will develop its first next-generation data center.  The data center will include new technologies and services that will enable eBay to deliver improved capabilities to its hundreds of millions of active users across its many web sites.

The new facility will generate approximately 50 new positions at an average of 150 percent of the Salt Lake County annual median wage which may change yearly. Over a 10-year period, the new positions are expected to generate new state wages of approximately $23.7 million.  New state tax revenue is expected to exceed $109 million during the same period. The facility will be the second major building within Daybreak Commerce Park, a 250-acre light industrial park that broke ground last year.

“We are pleased to formally announce our plans to build a data center in South Jordan.  The new data center is part of eBay’s plans to construct next-generation advanced data centers to support business-critical technology,” said Terri Jordan, vice president of operations, Marketplaces, eBay. “eBay gives its thanks to the state of Utah, South Jordan City, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and Kennecott Land Company for their outstanding support that made this project possible.”

eBay’s next generation data center will be designed and built with a focus on reducing its environmental impact.  These efficiencies will be generated from a number of technologies incorporated into the mechanical and electrical systems of the facility including a water side economizer that uses outside air to cool water versus motorized chillers and variable speed drives to run fans and chillers on an on-demand basis.  Additionally, rainwater will be used to supply the cooling tower and for landscape irrigation.

“Utah is very pleased that eBay has decided to build this leading edge data center in South Jordan.  This decision is another vote of confidence in Utah as a ‘Best State for Business’ and its quality workforce that leads the nation,” said Jason Perry, executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

“The active engagement of so many groups committed to enabling eBay’s project underscores why Utah is at the top of site selection lists across the country,” said Scott Kaufmann, vice president of commercial development, Kennecott Land Company.

“South Jordan City is excited to welcome eBay Inc. as our next corporate citizen and know they will enjoy all that makes South Jordan and the State of Utah a great place to work, live, and play. We applaud eBay Inc. for being a leader in the internet business industry and their efforts to expand their scope of services in South Jordan City.  Together, in partnership with Kennecott Land and the State of Utah, we welcome them as a partner with the City of South Jordan, as we build our future together,” said Brian Preece, Director of Long-term Planning and Sustainability for South Jordan City.