Google plan in Kronstorf wins backing from Upper Austria’s economy

Google’s planned arrival in Kronstorf in the Linz-Land district has received support from Upper Austria’s economic affairs minister Markus Achleitner, the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber, the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labour and the Federation of Austrian Industries. ORF reported that they expect the project to boost digitalisation, economic value and employment.

Achleitner described the planned investment as a “strong international signal” for Upper Austria. He said projects of this scale were important in difficult economic times because they could create new opportunities for companies and employees.

He sees particular potential for industrial digitalisation. Applications involving artificial intelligence, simulations and automated production increasingly require computing power, he said. Upper Austria could combine its strong industrial base with research and technology.

Partners call for infrastructure upgrades

Economic and social partners also backed the project. Doris Hummer, president of the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber, said it could provide important impetus for the regional economy. Many local companies could benefit during the construction phase, she said, while electricity supplies, power grids and storage capacity would also need to be expanded.

Andreas Stangl, president of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labour, said large investments had to create good jobs and fair incomes. It was important that the economic value generated also reached employees in the region, he said.

The Upper Austrian branch of the Federation of Austrian Industries described the planned arrival as an internationally visible vote of confidence. Its president, Thomas Bründl, said high-performance data centres were a key foundation for artificial intelligence and digitalisation.

Project details remain unclear

Important details have not yet been disclosed. The investment amount, potential employment effects and timetable have not been announced. Google itself did not comment in the statements.

Environmental group WWF criticised the plans and called for high environmental standards and a comprehensive assessment of the overall impact. Simon Pories, the WWF’s spokesperson on soil protection, described the project as one of the country’s biggest consumers of land and energy.

The WWF is calling for transparency about electricity and water use, comprehensive use of waste heat and an assessment of the entire project rather than individual expansion stages.