For want of a data center: Nebraska’s small towns seek millions of investment dollars, high-paying jobs it brings.

First came word of a $600 million Google data center in Council Bluffs. Then came news of Yahoo’s decision to invest at least $100 million in a new data center in La Vista and build a customer care center in Omaha.

A few months ago, Fremont’s hopes to land Yahoo were dashed when it ended as a runner-up to La Vista. Now Fremont, a city of 25,000, is trying harder than ever to make sure it comes out ahead the next time around.

Decisions by the two Internet giants to locate in the Midlands will bring with them a wave of new high-paying technology jobs.

The decisions also have a number of Nebraska communities rethinking their own economic development strategies. As many as 10 Nebraska cities are jockeying for position in the competitive horse race to land a data center.

Data centers house computer systems and related equipment that provide services for businesses and individual customers.

BY JOHN FERAK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

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