Google confirms its involvement in project

After months of cat and mouse, Google Inc. has confirmed it is behind the swarm of activity on slightly less than 514 acres in the Mount Holly Commerce Park in Berkeley County.

“We are the ones responsible for the activity on the site, which amounts to continued preparation,” said Google spokesman Barry Schnitt on Wednesday.

Last December, an entity called Maguro Enterprises LLC purchased the land in the commerce park for the price of $1 and “other valuable consideration” totaling more than $16.9 million.

On March 5, the Office of the Berkeley County Registrar of Deeds filed yet another deed related to Maguro Enterprises LLC, this one conferring the ownership of approximately 9.8 acres of the total it had purchased to Berkeley Electric Cooperative Inc.

The deed filer claimed an exemption from deed recording fees due to the fact the deal represented a transfer of realty “in which no gain or loss is recognized.”

The document also stated that the electrical cooperative and Maguro would share common entrance and egress from the acreage.

Given the players, and the proximity to the site now confirmed to be Google’s, the speculation is that the 9.8 acres will be used for a power substation or some other power-related infrastructure.

Laura Varn, spokeswoman for the Santee Cooper utility, which operates the commerce park in partnership with Berkeley County and Alcoa Mt. Holly, said the utility sells power to the Berkeley Electric Cooperative, which is the direct supplier of power to businesses in the commerce park.

She said she had no knowledge of what will become of the 9.8 acres, but suggested a call be made to Eddie McKnight, vice president of marketing and public relations for the co cooperative. McKnight could not be reached for comment as this article went to press.

Schnitt said Google hopes to have more details to share soon on its plans for the Goose Creek site.

as provided by Charleston Regional Business Journal by By Dan McCue , Staff Writer