DORCHESTER, S.C. — Google plans to grow its South Carolina footprint by establishing two new data center campuses in Dorchester County and expanding its existing data center campus in Berkeley County.

The company has a combined investment of $3.3 billion in the state and will create hundreds of employment opportunities across both counties.

Governor Henry McMaster and other state leaders joined Google employees at a groundbreaking ceremony in Dorchester County Thursday morning to commemorate the development.

“Google's latest investment will strengthen South Carolina's position as an emerging leader in technology and innovation,” said Gov. McMaster. “We are proud to support Google's operations in Dorchester and Berkeley counties and look forward to the many opportunities our continued partnership will create for our people.”

Google currently has 17 operational data center campuses in the United States. These centers help support the company’s digital services such as Google Search, Maps and Cloud.

The internet giant’s Berkeley County data center campus was the first of its kind in South Carolina. Built in 2007, the company plans to expand from the Mount Holly Commerce Park in Moncks Corner. This expansion alone is valued at $1.3 billion.

Two new facilities in Dorchester County represent a $2 billion investment and will create 200 new jobs. The campuses, located in the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville and Winding Woods Commerce Park in St. George, will support growing demand for Google’s cloud services and artificial intelligence.

“The company’s [Google’s] significant investment of $3.3 billion will greatly benefit the Dorchester and Berkeley communities and beyond for years to come.” Said South Carolina Secretary of Commerce, Harry M. Lightsey III.

Google says it has invested more than $2 million in local schools, communities and nonprofits in South Carolina.

Anyone interested in joining the Google team should visit the company’s application page.