Today Hewlett-Packard announced that it will build two data centers in the Austin area. The data centers will total approximately 400,000+ square feet including approximately 50,000 square feet of raised floor space. While Hewlett-Packard has selected the locations of these centers, one on Ed Bluestein Blvd. and the other at its existing campus in Wells Branch, the level of investment that the corporation will be making at each site has yet to be determined.

“We are thrilled that Hewlett-Packard is going to build two data centers in Austin,” said Tim Crowley, Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber and President of the Community Banking Group for Frost Bank. “We will continue to assist Hewlett-Packard in their deliberations here in Austin. These facilities, and the resulting jobs, are right in line with the goals that we have set forth relating to our economy and its success.”

With plans for two new facilities and employee growth, this announcement will help propel Opportunity Austin, the Greater Austin Chamber’s five year initiative aimed at creating 72,000 jobs and a $2.9 billion increase in payroll to the five county region by the end of 2008. On March 22, the Greater Austin Chamber announced that 47,600 jobs have been added to the region since the inception of Opportunity Austin in 2004.

“Austin is a natural fit for Hewlett-Packard,” said Gary Farmer, Chair of the Greater Austin Economic Development Corporation and President of Heritage Title Co. of Austin. “We already have a number of data centers including Home Depot, Oracle, Sun Microsystems and Dell. Austin Energy and the community as a whole know how to work effectively with these types of centers, and Austin has the talented workforce needed to fill these positions.”

Media questions can be directed to Michael Moeller of Hewlett-Packard at 650.236.3028.