As I was writing a victory post my train of thought was just captured by a headline on the internet. All I could muster up was a snappy headline.
For the past few months I have been working on a way to get Facebook to move its new office outside of California. In my quest as a REALTOR, I have been trying to drum up support. But most of the people I have talked to said so what? What will it do for me?
Through the grapevine (hightech REALTOR circle) I heard that two other REALTORS got their state governments involved. Why wouldn't they? They get it. Facebook would initially employ 200 people. Most of those jobs will pay higher than the median average.
Forget the facts that Facebook is used by 400 million and is a great website to network with friends, families and customers. Facebook would be great for Johnson County.
So here it goes. Looks like Johnson County, Kansas is losing out to Austin, Texas. Texas Governor Rick Perry announced in a Facebook note (How appropriate!) that the state is willing to offer Facebook $1.4 million in incentives to establish the new operation — along with its 200 jobs — in the city of Austin.
The deal is contingent on the city of Austin agreeing to pitch in $200,000 of incentives itself and on Facebook actually deciding that Austin is the best place to go. Austin will vote on the plan within a few weeks.
The deal is contingent on the city of Austin agreeing to pitch in $200,000 of incentives itself and on Facebook actually deciding that Austin is the best place to go. Austin will vote on the plan within a few weeks.
Anybody have any connections in Johnson County to help court Facebook here?
Johnson County is a high tech county with may tech jobs. The county boast wonderful schools and affordable housing and . . . Oh forget it. We Johnson Countians know how great the county is to work and raise a family. Add the benefits of rubbing shoulders with Kansas City and next to three awesome schools (ok 2 out 3 isn't bad). Johnson County is a great choice.
Hopefully my couple months worth of work will not be useful. Anybody have any ideas on how to bring Facebook to Johnson County, Kansas?
Hopefully my couple months worth of work will not be useful. Anybody have any ideas on how to bring Facebook to Johnson County, Kansas?
Here is the Facebook note from the Texas governor:
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the state will invest $1.4 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) for Facebook to create a sales and operations office in Austin. This investment will create 200 jobs and more than $3.1 million in capital investment. The TEF funding is conditioned upon the finalization of a local incentive agreement with the City of Austin.
“The TEF continues to be a critical, deal closing tool for Texas, helping to attract jobs and businesses and grow our state’s diverse economy,” Gov. Perry said. “Facebook’s expansion in Austin will enhance the area’s robust technology industry, create 200 jobs for Texans, and strengthen the economy in Central Texas.”
Facebook is a social networking service that enables 400 million people around the world to communicate more efficiently with friends, family and coworkers in a trusted environment. This office represents the first major U.S. expansion outside of Palo Alto, Calif., where the company is headquartered.
“We’ve been exploring various options around the U.S. to establish an additional online sales and operations office and we’re grateful to the assistance we've received from the Governor’s office and the state’s leadership in discussing the possibilities in Austin,” Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said. “Facebook continues to grow and Austin, with its deep talent pool, would allow us to hire the high-caliber employees we need to properly serve the people, advertisers and developers that rely on our service.”
At Gov. Perry’s request, the legislature created the TEF in 2003 and re-appropriated funding in 2005, 2007 and 2009 to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create more jobs throughout the state. TEF projects must be approved by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. The fund has since become one of the state’s most competitive tools to recruit and bolster business. To date, the TEF has invested more than $388.6 million and closed the deal on projects generating nearly 52,000 new jobs and more than $14.3 billion in capital investment in the state.
I guess if I can't get Facebook to move an office to Johnson County, I'll just keep on visiting Facebook on our laptops. It would be nice, though, to see a big blue Facebook sign along I-435 someday, wouldn't it?
“The TEF continues to be a critical, deal closing tool for Texas, helping to attract jobs and businesses and grow our state’s diverse economy,” Gov. Perry said. “Facebook’s expansion in Austin will enhance the area’s robust technology industry, create 200 jobs for Texans, and strengthen the economy in Central Texas.”
Facebook is a social networking service that enables 400 million people around the world to communicate more efficiently with friends, family and coworkers in a trusted environment. This office represents the first major U.S. expansion outside of Palo Alto, Calif., where the company is headquartered.
“We’ve been exploring various options around the U.S. to establish an additional online sales and operations office and we’re grateful to the assistance we've received from the Governor’s office and the state’s leadership in discussing the possibilities in Austin,” Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said. “Facebook continues to grow and Austin, with its deep talent pool, would allow us to hire the high-caliber employees we need to properly serve the people, advertisers and developers that rely on our service.”
At Gov. Perry’s request, the legislature created the TEF in 2003 and re-appropriated funding in 2005, 2007 and 2009 to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create more jobs throughout the state. TEF projects must be approved by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. The fund has since become one of the state’s most competitive tools to recruit and bolster business. To date, the TEF has invested more than $388.6 million and closed the deal on projects generating nearly 52,000 new jobs and more than $14.3 billion in capital investment in the state.
I guess if I can't get Facebook to move an office to Johnson County, I'll just keep on visiting Facebook on our laptops. It would be nice, though, to see a big blue Facebook sign along I-435 someday, wouldn't it?
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
Blog post written by the Dowell Taggart Team of RE/MAX Best Associates
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4 Comments
What an awesome idea! I actually do have a connection in state govt. & will talk to her about it.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Good luck. I don't have any direct connections, but I may have a few friends who might.
ReplyDeleteSend them to KCK out by the Speedway next to Cerner
ReplyDeleteThat would be cool. Have you contacted the Olathe and Overland Park Chamber of Commerce?
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