Google breaks ground on 2 data centers in central Ohio

The tech giant has announced plans to expand its footprint in Ohio, bringing its total investment in the state to more than $2 billion.

Google is building two new data centers in Columbus and Lancaster, Ohio, according to a company press release shared with Construction Dive.

Construction has already begun at both sites. Once completed, these data centers will help power Google’s artificial intelligence innovation, particularly tools like Gmail, Search and Maps, according to the release.

The two new facilities are in addition to Google’s other data center in the Buckeye State: a $600 million facility in New Albany, Ohio. The three sites will play a significant role in the growth of Ohio’s technology hub and data center market, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in the release.

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/google-plans-2-new-data-centers-ohio-columbus-lancaster/649470/

Suffolk calls on OSHA to require suicide awareness training

Boston-based general contractor Suffolk Construction and military veteran mental health nonprofit Home Base penned an open letter to OSHA last week, calling attention to the construction industry’s mental health issues and advocating for suicide awareness and prevention training in basic OSHA certifications.

The letter coincided with both Construction Safety Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, which John Fish, chair and CEO of Suffolk, said made the timing “ripe.”

Construction has the second highest rate of suicide among all U.S. industries at 45.3 per 100,000 workers, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suffolk partnered with Boston-base Home Base, as military veterans too face a mental health epidemic, being 15% more likely to attempt suicide than civilians.

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/suffolk-osha-require-suicide-awareness-training/649667/