Interest in spy center work prompts Army to schedule second meeting

So many companies are interested in working on a new National Security Agency Data Center at Camp Williams that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled a second day for contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to learn more about the project.

The second session of "Utah Data Center Industry Days" will be Nov. 13 at the Hilton Salt Lake City Airport Hotel, 5151 Wiley Post Way, same site as Thursday's first meeting. Pre-registration for the second session must be completed by Monday at www.UDCIndustryDay.com.

Because of the interest generated by the plan to build a $1 billion digital monitoring center, participating companies will be limited to three representatives. The Corps of Engineers also is requiring attendees to be United States' citizens working for U.S.-owned companies. It is not allowing companies that signed up for Thursday's initial meeting to switch to the later session.

On Thursday, government officials will speak from 9-10 a.m. about plans to build a 1 million-square-foot facility that will include a 100,000-square-foot Data Center, where information will be collected in an effort to prevent attacks on the nation's cyber networks. Another 900,000 square feet of space will be used for administrative offices and technical support systems such as water treatment facilities, an electrical sub-station, a vehicle inspection facility, a visitor control center, fuel and

Facility construction could require 5,000 to 10,000 workers, Army officials said, noting "the acquisition and construction schedule will be very aggressive."

After the presentation, an hour will be set aside for networking, followed by an hourlong question-and-answer session. A bus tour will depart for Camp Williams at 1:15 p.m., returning to the hotel about 3 p.m.

Additional information may be obtained by e-mail from info@UDCIndustryDay.com.

mikeg@sltrib.com