Google opening Michigan AdWords center

Google Inc. will open a sales and operations center for its AdWords online advertising program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the State of Michigan announced Tuesday.

Michigan offered Google US$38 million in tax credits over 20 years to lure the company to the state. Google expects to hire 1000 employees for the new center in the first five years. The state estimates its residents will receive about $2 billion in personal income earnings during that 20-year period.

Ann Arbor, home to the state's flagship institution of higher learning, the University of Michigan, has sentimental value for Google. Co-founder Larry Page earned a bachelor's degree there.

Google had made no announcement regarding the agreement on either its Googleblog or AdWords press sites at publication time.