CAMBRIDGE, MA–Google on Thursday announced plans to invest more than $7 billion and create at least 10,000 new full-time Google jobs across the United States this year.
“I believe a lasting economic recovery will come from local communities, and the people and small businesses that give them life,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet. “Google wants to be a part of that recovery. That’s why we plan to invest over $7 billion in offices and data centers across the U.S. and create at least 10,000 new full-time Google jobs in the U.S. this year.”
Google has more than 1,900 employees in Massachusetts, and will continue to invest in its long-term presence in Cambridge. The company’s 3 Cambridge Center office (325 Main Street) under construction in Kendall Square will be opening next year, where Google will be occupying 14 floors in the ground up building being redeveloped by Boston Properties.
Google is also investing in ongoing campus improvements in 8 Cambridge Center (150 Broadway) opening in 2021 and building out additional space this year in their existing 5 Cambridge Center (355 Main Street) and 4 Cambridge Center (90 Broadway) buildings. Upon completion of 3 Cambridge Center and 8 Cambridge Center, Google will have more than 1 million square feet of office space in Cambridge.
“Google has been a great partner in Cambridge for over a decade, not only because of their commitment to producing jobs, innovation, and economic growth, but also for their corporate responsibility work at the local level,” said Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. “Their support of the Cambridge Housing Authority, Margaret Fuller House, and other Cambridge organizations demonstrates their commitment to being good neighbors. The City looks forward to the benefits that their growth here will continue to bring to our community.”
Google also released their 2020 Economic Impact Report , sharing how 390,000 Massachusetts businesses, publishers and nonprofits used Google search and advertising tools to increase their online presence and connect with the people and communities they serve in 2020 — generating $17.4B in economic activity.
Nôs Casa Café in Roxbury was highlighted in Google’s nationwide Economic Impact Report in a case study that details how they used digital tools to increase their online presence and reach customers.
When COVID-19 forced restaurants to close in March 2020, the future looked uncertain for Nôs Casa Café. The business received a Paycheck Protection Program loan to continue paying their five employees, and a PPE grant to buy gloves and other supplies. They reopened two months later with fewer tables, operating at 60-percent capacity. They were able to update their Business Profile on Google with new service options such as “curbside pickup” and “no-contact delivery,” adding photos to attract more takeout and delivery business, and enabled Google Pay mobile-ordering apps. Google Analytics even revealed that one photo of an array of dishes garnering nearly 100,000 views.
“Even through challenging times, with the support of the community and our customers—and with Google products and resources—we’re in a good place,” Co-owner Joshua Fidalgo says. “We’re true to our mission. We’re hopeful.”
Nôs Casa Café is one of many American businesses that used the internet to adapt to new challenges last year. According to a newly released poll conducted by Greenberg, in partnership with the Connected Commerce Council from February 17 to March 11, 2021, 98 percent of U.S. based small business owners say that digital tools have been helpful in running their business, with 80 percent incorporating new digital tools and strategies due to COVID. Looking forward, small business owners remain optimistic about the future of their businesses, with 93 percent believing they will maintain or increase their use of digital tools post pandemic.
Google in Massachusetts
Located in the heart of greater Boston’s technology community, Google Cambridge has employees working in sales and many product areas, including Ads, Android, YouTube, networking infrastructure, and Google Play. Google strives to be great neighbors in the local community and, since 2011, has given $56M in charitable giving dollars donated to nonprofits and schools in Massachusetts and is proud to support local partners like the Cambridge Housing Authority’s Work Force, Breakthrough Greater Boston, Community Art Center, Tutoring Plus and the Margaret Fuller House in areas like education and economic opportunity. Google has called Massachusetts home since 2003.
