The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on Thursday they would be taking on Google as a roommate at the Ames Research Center. The two entities intend to collaborate on a number of “technology-focused research-and-development activities.”
NASA and Google signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that lays out a plan for “cooperation in a variety of areas.” They will be working together in areas including large-scale data management, massively distributed computing, bio-info-nano convergence, and encouragement of the entrepreneurial space industry.
The big kicker is that Google will pick up a lean 1 million square feet within the NASA Research Park at Moffett Field. This part is creating the biggest stir because Santa Clara County expressed concerns of Google skipping out on its tax obligations.
Mercury News reported this morning Santa Clara County’s tax assessor saying “he would fight to make sure the high-tech heavyweight won’t escape paying its fair share of property taxes by locating its complex on federal land.
Mercury News said assessor Larry Stone estimate the project would generate at least $2.5 to $3 million in annual property taxes. Part of Google’s plan is to build housing for a large numbers.
Another pointed mentioned in the article is that some revenues will be generated in the form of utilities like water and sewage and then from sales taxes from local eateries. The problem with part of that theory is Google maintains an executive chef and a four-star cafeteria.
All the money Google saves from moving to the NASA grounds will realistically provide a huge influx of cash for the research facility. With huge budget cuts coming, Ames will now have a strong source of income.
So in review, Google will get access to huge swathes of government research and technology. Certainly there will be limits but now they will be on site. NASA will get a regular source of income not tied to NASA’s operating budget and the whims of a presidential administration and congress.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
