The data center will house tens of thousands
of computers to host Internet services like Microsoft's Windows Live
offerings, which include everything from instant messaging to
e-mail, said Mike Manos, Microsoft senior director of data centers.
To entice Microsoft, which will eventually
employ about 75 people at the site, the city approved a tax
abatement package that will run over the next 10 years.
Mayor Phil Hardberger said the incentive
will help turn vacant land within the city into a revenue-producer,
bringing more tax dollars to the city and the schools. The data
center will also use electricity from the municipal power company,
generating roughly $1.4 million extra annually for San Antonio.
Once Microsoft closes on the 40-acre
property, construction will take 1 1/2 to two years, Manos said.
Hardberger said Microsoft's arrival marked
another step in the city's effort to attract more high-paying jobs.
San Antonio, which has historically been
dominated by the military and related jobs, has been working to
attract more large companies. Toyota Motor Corp. opened a new
manufacturing plant here last year.
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