Facebook still growing – so is its Prineville data center

There are more than 1.5 billion users on Facebook.

Connecting that many people to one vast network is a huge technological challenge.

That’s why the social media giant built one of its first data centers in Prineville, but many still wonder: Why Central Oregon?

“We enjoy Central Oregon because of its cool climate. and the climate is ideal for a data center,” said Todd Flack, site manager for the Facebook Prineville Data Center, during a look behind the scenes Tuesday

The facility is working on new initiatives, including cold storage and a mobile lab, which connects users on the go.

“The mobile lab is making sure our application is running as power-efficient, for a phone, as possible,” Flack said.

Facebook works globally, but acts locally.

Flack said the data center employs hundreds of people, all from Central Oregon, and works to be a part of the Crook County community.

“We have enjoyed a partnership with the community with the city of Prineville, Crook County and the state of Oregon,” Flack said, “We have a strong partnership with our community, and we love being a part of Prineville.”

The still-growing data center, now working to complete its third facility by year end, is helping connect those 1.5 billion people and giving its users something new to “like.

Just across the road, Apple also is working on the third building in its data center, another sign Crook County has become a social media hub for two of the world’s biggest high-tech companies.