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POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — The FBI is expanding its data center in eastern Idaho and bringing in 300 new jobs.
Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad announced Thursday that work is expected to begin this summer at the old Naval Ordnance Plant on the city's north side. Work would likely be finished by the spring of 2017 in turning the FBI Pocatello building into what Blad called "a major hub" for the federal agency.
"This is a great economic win for Pocatello," Blad said.
Expansion plans call for a data center of 100,000 square feet.
Bannock Development Corp. Executive Director John Regetz told the Idaho State Journal (http://bit.ly/1UlHWxG ) that the $10 million for the project will bring an immediate boost to the local economy.
Regetz also says the average wage of $60,000 annually with the 300 new jobs will be another economic boost. "It's a significant impact now and into the future," Regetz said.
The Pocatello FBI center provides communications and database support for FBI agents throughout the country. It opened in 1985.
Regetz said the project had the support of Idaho's congressional delegation and that Idaho Power helped make sure the FBI would have the necessary electrical power for the expansion.
Plans say the facility will be constructed with a capacity of 5.4 megawatts of electric power.
The FBI on Friday didn't immediately provide a comment on the project to The Associated Press.
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Information from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com
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