Google sets up shop in Michigan

The facility in the Ann Arbor area will employ 1,000 people within five years to handle advertising generated by the Internet search outfit.

Google run its AdWords unit, which handles "pay-per-click" advertising to users of Google's Internet search engine, at the site.

While some tech companies are talking about shifting off shore, or are looking at expanding traditional Silicon Valley operations, the idea of Michigan does not exactly spring to mind as a first choice.

Since Detroit's car manufacturing tanked, the State economy is depressed and there is little in the way of tech history or companies in the place.

The state apparently offered Google $38 million in tax breaks over 20 years, should its employment reach 2,000, although that is not really much more than other areas would offer.

We did a Google search to find out why the search engine might be interested in the area and found out that Michigan is famous for having 120 lighthouses-more than any other state. Google will be joining Bell's Brewery as one of the significant outfits that have shifted to the state recently.

So if managers want to get drunk on the beach while watching the lights, Ann Arbor is the place to go.

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