Public Speaks On Google Enterprise Zone Proposal

The Dalles City Council and the Wasco County Commission heard over two hours of testimony at a joint hearing on the proposed enterprise zone agreement with Google for a new data center on over 23 acres near Taylor Lakes in the Port of The Dalles’ new Columbia Gorge Industrial Center.  Opinions on the proposal were mixed, with some backing Google’s contributions to the community in the decade since the first of two current centers were built under 15-year tax abatement agreements and the annual payments in the deal would be good for The Dalles, and others contending Google should pay property taxes like other businesses.  And many complained the short notice since the proposed agreement became public last week and planned Council and Commission meetings this week didn’t allow enough time to make an educated judgement.  But time is something the panels may not have.  Both Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege and The Dalles Mayor Steve Lawrence, who were part of the negotiating group with Google over the past eight months, said the company has pushed for a resolution.  And after the meeting Hege did indicate he felt The Dalles was not the only location Google has considered for the data center.  The Dalles City Council will discuss the agreement today at 5:30 in City Hall, and Wasco County Commissioners will do the same during their regular meeting Wednesday morning at 11:30.

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