"Mr. Page, welcome!"
After Kyle arrived in Seattle and expressed his intention to invest there, he immediately received feedback from the local government.
Mondo Gusta, male, 42 years old, has held multiple positions including Seattle City Council member, Washington State House of Representatives member, Chief of Staff for the Seattle Mayor's Office, and Deputy Mayor.
"Mr. Gusta, I didn't expect you to personally show me around Seattle." Kyle shook his hand.
"It's only right. For a billionaire like Mr. Page, with such high influence in the internet industry, it's most appropriate for me to host you," Gusta said with a hearty laugh.
Furthermore, the surrounding Seattle local government officials also expressed their welcome for Kyle's arrival.
How could they not welcome a wealthy person coming to invest?
These were all political achievements!
Leaving aside the tax payments for now, just solving the employment problem for many people was enough to excite the Seattle local government.
Chief Assistant Alexander whispered to Kyle, "Boss, what they value most is solving the unemployment problem, which will greatly help them in future elections."
"So that's how it is." Kyle immediately understood.
Since Kyle's transmigration, he was no longer the novice he once was.
Thinking of this, Kyle couldn't help but recall an interesting anecdote.
In early 2000, before the dot-com bubble burst, the U.S. federal government launched an investigation into Microsoft's monopoly, intending to break up Microsoft.
This move received support from the federal government.
However!
The local government of Seattle, where Microsoft's headquarters are located, openly accused the federal government of messing around!
Why?
Why would the Seattle city government choose to go against the federal government?
Because Microsoft employed as many as 7,500 people in Seattle!
Once Microsoft's monopoly investigation was confirmed and verified, it would inevitably lead to many employees being laid off.
Then the unemployed would surely accuse the city government of inaction, affecting the political achievements of officials and council members. Under various factors, the Seattle city government, of course, sided with Microsoft and chose to go against the federal government!
"Haha!"
After understanding, Kyle immediately said, "Mr. Gusta, without further ado, once my LinkedIn company settles in Seattle, we will at least solve the employment problem for 1,000 people."
Upon hearing this, the Seattle local officials present were all overjoyed.
"Thank you, Mr. Page, for supporting our work, and thank you for your contributions to the people of Seattle."
Gusta, as an experienced politician, heaped praise upon Kyle, one compliment after another.
"You're too kind."
Kyle smiled again, "If possible, I will purchase a large piece of land in the Seattle area to build LinkedIn's technology park, which will also require hiring a large number of construction workers. At that time, I will need strong support from the government and Mr. Gusta."
"Support, we will definitely support you!"
Gusta had no reason not to support him; he was too happy to object!
Purchasing a large piece of land and building a technology park would inevitably require hiring a large number of workers, and Kyle would definitely invest heavily in transportation, materials, medical care, food, industrial equipment, etc., estimated to be no less than 500 million USD.
Political achievements!
Solid political achievements!
In the following days, Gusta set aside his work and diligently served Kyle.
"Mr. Page, have you made up your mind?" Gusta was full of anticipation.
"Of course!"
Kyle declared loudly, "I feel the enthusiasm of Seattle's 4 million residents, and I feel the work ethic of your government. Therefore, I have decided to invest in Seattle, with an estimated investment of no less than 1.5 billion USD over three years!"
1.5 billion USD?!
For a moment, Gusta and the other officials were all incredibly excited.
This was 1.5 billion USD in 1999, not 1.5 billion USD in 2020; the value for money was completely different!
900 acres!
That's right, the place Kyle had his eye on was located in the suburbs of Seattle, covering an area of approximately 900 acres (about 5,400 mu).
"In 1999, land in the Seattle suburbs was still very cheap, but after the dot-com bubble burst, Seattle's real estate prices soared, increasing by a full 170% before the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. This means that if I buy the land now, even if I do nothing, I'll still make a profit," Kyle calculated in his mind.
Of course, buying land and investing 1.5 billion USD was not something that could be done overnight.
It was estimated that the plan to fully settle the investment in Seattle would take at least half a year.
"Understood, we fully understand!" Gusta immediately stated.
"Thank you for your understanding. After all, this is a major matter, and I cannot act rashly." Kyle feigned apology.
Gusta would not question Kyle's financial resources!
Kyle owned 2% of Yahoo stock and 8% of Amazon stock, totaling 3.8 billion USD, and due to the internet boom, it was still growing.
This was something known throughout America; no one doubted Kyle's financial strength!
Furthermore, LinkedIn, as the world's first company primarily operating in online recruitment, although its current market value is not high, its influence is not small, having signed employment cooperation agreements with thousands of well-known companies. Its settlement in the Seattle area was welcomed by the local government!
Moreover, once the industrial technology park was established, it would undoubtedly have a huge impact on increasing the price of surrounding land.
"1.5 billion USD?"
"Three years, investing 1.5 billion USD!"
"This puts no pressure on me, and I can also apply for interest-free or low-interest loans from the local government, completely achieving something for nothing."
"Furthermore, once the dot-com bubble bursts, I can short it and make a huge profit. Won't 1.5 billion USD be incredibly easy then?"
Kyle couldn't help but feel great… and returned to Los Angeles.
Immediately upon his return, Kyle informed Jeff Weiner, President of LinkedIn, of his idea to build a technology park centered around LinkedIn.
"I fully support the boss's decision! LinkedIn is currently valued at 130 million USD, far lower than many internet companies, but our foundation is solid enough, and by implementing a steady and strategic approach, there will come a time when we soar, and at that point, we will definitely need our own technology park," Jeff Weiner said with a smile.
Kyle also smiled at that.
"Alright, it's settled then!"
Kyle said, "In the near future, I will arrange for people to form a specialized team to work with the Seattle local government to finalize the investment plan, with an estimated completion of actual investment within half a year."
Having an independent technology park is an important means for a company to enhance its brand influence!
Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook… Which of these giant companies doesn't have its own independent technology industry park?
Although land prices in America have generally not been expensive, land prices in major cities and their surrounding suburbs have been continuously increasing. How could Kyle miss this opportunity to seize a bargain?
"LinkedIn must have its own independent park!" Kyle clenched his fist…
The next day.
The Global Times published an article, featuring Kyle on its front page!
[Kyle Page, the newly emerged super billionaire, has a net worth of nearly 10 billion USD!]
This news report immediately caused a sensation in America!