NE: Travelers Companies to Open 190,000 Sq.-Ft. Data Center in Sarpy

Gov. Dave Heineman announced that The Travelers Companies, Inc., a leading property casualty insurer, has committed to building a new data center in Sarpy County. The facility will be approximately 190,000 sq. ft. Travelers joins several other data centers located in Sarpy County including Fidelity, Yahoo!, Cabela's and two Cosentry locations.

"I am pleased that Travelers made the decision to locate a data center in Nebraska," said Gov. Heineman. "Travelers and our other outstanding companies are learning that Nebraska has a business-friendly climate, quality workforce, good schools, safe communities, affordable homes and an unmatched quality of life."

Travelers sought a location that would put it in close proximity with a significant infrastructure, offer competitive utility costs, and provide a real estate market equipped to accommodate future growth and expansion needs.

"Travelers appreciates Nebraska's warm welcome and support as we prepare to build our new data center in the Greater Omaha region," said Madelyn Lankton, executive vice president and chief information Officer for Travelers. "We are committed to ensuring the stability and integrity of our business operations and are pleased to form a partnership with a community that embodies those same values."

"The county has a long-standing history of support for economic development projects. The new data center announced by Travelers continues the County's proactive involvement in extending infrastructure to spur growth," said Sarpy County Board Chair Jim Warren. "Travelers' decision to locate in Sarpy County demonstrates that our positive business environment is very attractive for companies looking to make major investments."

"The Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership welcomes Travelers and commends them on their decision to locate their new data center in the Greater Omaha area," said David G. Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. "The Partnership staff and our key allies in this project, the State of Nebraska, Sarpy County and the Omaha Public Power District, as well as many others have been working with Travelers' representatives on the site selection process. We look forward to a strong partnership and continued growth."

Under Nebraska's newest Tier 2 Large Data Center incentives program, enacted by Gov. Heineman in 2012, companies must minimally invest $200 million and create at least 30 new full-time positions.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development approved Site, Building and Development funds to support the project along with Customized Job Training funds for Travelers' highly technical employee base. OPPD, Sarpy County and Travelers all contributed greatly to provide the necessary infrastructure to support this project and to pave the way for future development of the area. Travelers is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.