Swedish municipality backs Google data‑centre deal amid economic debate

A municipal board in Sundsvall region has recommended approving a deal with Google for a new data‑centre. The board argues the project will create direct and indirect jobs, spur regional innovation, enable industrial symbiosis and increase local expertise in the tech sector. While the municipality will not receive corporate‑tax revenue—corporate tax is national—the board notes Google will pay for electricity like any other consumer and will continue investing in fossil‑free power through power‑purchase agreements to benefit the region.

The board cited employment figures from comparable facilities: about 400 workers at Google’s Fredrikshamn data‑centre in Finland (with 100 new jobs expected), roughly 500 at Microsoft sites in Staffanstorp/Sandviken/Gävle, and around 300 at Meta’s Luleå centre. The recommendation now awaits a decision by elected officials.