The Dalles council delays change-order decision; homelessness, Google transparency also discussed
The council postponed a construction spending decision until Nov. 9, heard about winter shelter plans and reviewed updates on children’s counseling and local news access. And Coming Soon: Google Information on data centers, water use, infrastructure and tax agreements to go live on city website
Google contractor leases Port property for modular offices; neighbors question what comes next
The contractor is using the site near Google’s 77,000-square-foot building site location for construction offices and has leased nearby land for parking as the longtime basil greenhouse closes.
Drought Restrictions Put Google Water Use Back in Spotlight at The Dalles City Council
The Dalles’ water restrictions sparked questions about Google’s consumption as councilors also shifted lodging-tax administration, renewed Spectrum’s franchise and set legislative priorities.
Google tax deals pour millions into Wasco County; commissioners eye $15 million endowment for windfall
Google tax deals are pouring millions into Wasco County. Now commissioners are considering locking away up to $15 million to build a permanent financial endowment.
Google says new 77,000-square-foot data center will receive no new tax incentives
Google says its newly approved 77,000-square-foot data center in The Dalles will receive no new tax incentives and will be assessed under Oregon’s regular property tax process.
City Approves Google rebuild of original 2006 data center in Port of The Dalles
Google gains approval for a new 77,000-square-foot building at its original The Dalles data center as the company modernizes the campus, bringing speculation for increased tax revenue.
The Dalles faces a $259 million water rebuild. Here's why your rates are going up.
City leaders say decades of deferred maintenance, aging infrastructure and future water needs require a generational investment that could more than double the typical residential water bill over the next 20 years.
Grass fire near Google in West The Dalles breaks out this morning
A grass fire burning near Google’s Taylor Lake data Center broke out this morning around 10:30 a.m. immediately drawing first responders and firefighters.
Critics Question Google Tax Breaks as New Data Center Delivers $9.8M Locally
Google’s newest data center in The Dalles generated $9.8 million in taxes and fees in 2025 — nearly doubling early projections as construction continues on a second facility.
Column: Tax Breaks, Water Use, School Cuts: The Real Cost of Hosting Google in The Dalles - $2,764 Per Student, Per Year
For years, we’ve been told this is the deal: give the biggest corporation in the room a break, and the rest of us will come out ahead.
But at some point, “incentive” turns into “subsidy,” and “partnership” starts to feel like permission. Permission to take more than you give, to grow faster than a community can support, and to call it success as long as the buildings look ‘beautficationed’ from the highway.
The Dalles deserves better than being a bargain-priced host. We’re not anti-business. We’re pro-fairness. Pay what you owe, tell the truth about what you use, and invest in the schools and systems that keep this town alive.
Google to retool 2006 Data Center; New River Road plant to payout in October
Tax obligation for Google’s first data center gets murky with retooling of site. While tax revenues have dropped in recent years, Google will be on the hook for initial property taxes and fees that will be due on its new data center this coming November.
CGCC receives donation from Google for hands-on training for new healthcare workers
Healthcare students at Columbia Gorge Community College will soon benefit from enhanced simulated learning opportunities designed to mirror real-world healthcare settings.
Google’s $70K Donation Boosts Educational and Support Programs in Wasco County
Google announced more than $70,000 in support for Wasco County school districts and other local organizations that provide services to children and families in the Columbia River Gorge.
TD Council approves purchase to increase water treatment as Google builds out
Water treatment chemical purchase increases as city plans for increased water use as Google data centers are being constructed at a rapid pace.
Google Money: You want $1 million annually... forever?
The City and County are at a true crossroads when looking to the future - they have the happy problem of a lot of money and how to manage it responsibly. Wednesday’s meeting was a contrast between two ideas. Spend Google dollars as they receive them on worthy projects and or reduce taxes now, or put it into an endowment and have money to use later? Forever.
Picture of the Day: Community Joins Forces for Weed Pulling Event at Sorosis Park
Sorosis Park was buzzing with activity this morning as a diverse group of volunteers gathered for a weed pulling event organized by Google and North Wasco County Parks and Recreation District.
Right to Repair aims to fix your phone screen, locally; Will Apple take a crack at new law
Today marks a significant milestone in the Right to Repair movement as the Oregon House of Representatives passed legislation aimed at empowering consumers and supporting small businesses and companies committed to making more sustainable products.
Google grant to help bring clean energy, climate resilience to Wasco County
New funding from Google will support a regional effort to build both climate and economic resilience in the Columbia River Gorge. Google is providing $150,000 to The Dalles-based nonprofit Wy’East Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D).
Billionaire investors banking on TD in race to crack CO2 code
The 2.79 acres purchased at 4375 RiverTrail Way near Taylor Lake and the Google 3 data plant were alive with some 15 construction workers today, Dec. 15. They were erecting a demonstration facility to mine the air of its carbon dioxide or CO2, in a step to prevent the earth from getting too hot for humans.
Google going great guns; here comes another one
Contractors at the new Google data center site were busy this afternoon, Nov. 28. The walls for the first of two data centers were erected for the first 288,000-square-foot facility months ago. Google’s contractor Whiting-Turner has now submitted a second request to site and construct the second data center at 290,000 square feet to the City of The Dalles planning department.
