| Governor McAuliffe announced today that Facebook will invest $1 billion dollars to create a data center in Henrico County. In addition to the center, hundreds of millions of dollars will be invested to build solar facilities to power it with 100% renewable energy. The deal will also bring 100 permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs to the region.
“I am extremely pleased that Facebook chose to accept our friend request,” said Delegate Lamont Bagby. “Henrico County is rapidly becoming a top destination for the technology industry. Facebook’s decision to invest and locate its newest data center in Henrico County speaks volumes to the support the Commonwealth provides in our efforts to create a New Virginia Economy that is innovative and inclusive.”
The Facebook deal brings total capital investment secured during Governor McAuliffe’s term to $17.5 billion. That’s nearly $5 billion more than any Governor in Virginia history. Since the Governor took office, the Commonwealth has also added 215,000 new jobs and the unemployment rate has dropped from 5.4% to 3.8%. Additionally, unemployment claims are at 44 year low.
"In three and half years, Governor McAuliffe has led the way as Virginia has transformed it economy with record-setting results," said House Democratic Leader David J. Toscano. "Facebook's $1 billion announcement today is just one more example demonstrating that the Governor's efforts to create a new Virginia economy are working."
The record success achieved by Governor McAuliffe and Democrats in the General Assembly has been made possible through their efforts to build a new Virginia economy. They have been able to attract the leading industries of the 21st century by redesigning our economy to contain the infrastructure and workforce that these employers need and by keeping Virginia open and welcoming. Today’s announcement is proof that Governor McAuliffe’s tireless work to build an economy that works for all Virginians is paying off.
"In addition to creating an economy that is more diversified than it was three years ago, Governor McAuliffe has fought to make sure that Virginia remains open and welcoming," said Caucus Chair Charniele Herring. "If Governor McAuliffe was not here to be a brick wall for women's health, the LGBTQ comunnity, and immigrants, companies like Facebook would not be choosing the Commonwealth to expand their businesses."
Since taking office Governor McAuliffe has vetoed a record 120 pieces of divisive legislation introduced by Virginia Republicans. Those bills would defund Planned Parenthood and license taxpayer-funded discrimination against the LGBTQ community. The tech giants of Silicon Valley have all been clear that they will not relocate their companies to states that codify discrimination. Thanks to the Governor, these attacks on Virginians have been prevented time and again, and thanks to his partnership with Democrats in the General Assembly, all 120 of his vetoes were sustained. |
