March 12,, 2010 - Yesterday, the Austin City Council approved economic incentives paving the way for Facebook to officially move forward with plans to develop operations in Austin. This move brings the number of companies that have made similar decisions after working with the Austin Chamber to four since the beginning of 2010.

“We are delighted to formally announce that Facebook will open an online sales and operations office in Austin,” said Grady Burnett, Director of Global Online Sales and Operations at Facebook. “The area’s world-class educational system and talented workforce give us the means to quickly establish a strong outfit. We also want Facebook employees to have a high quality-of-life by being part of a vibrant, dynamic environment and Austin offers all of that and more. We look forward to building our team here in Austin and enjoying all the wonderful things the city has to offer.”

In their first major U.S. expansion out of current headquarters Palo Alto, CA, Facebook plans to create 200 jobs for Central Texans with the location of an online sales and operations office.

The Austin Chamber worked confidentially with Facebook during their search to find a location for their expansion, encouraging the diversification of the Austin metro economy. Opportunity Austin, the Austin Chamber’s economic development initiative to expand efforts to attract businesses in industries that complement the area’s workforce, such as clean energy, life sciences and digital media, has remained an important factor in Austin’s success with economic growth and development initiatives.

About Opportunity Austin
Opportunity Austin is the Austin Chamber of Commerce's five-year economic development initiative to foster sustainable growth through the creation of new jobs and increased payroll in the Central Texas region.