In my previous blog post, I noted that Meta – previously known as Facebook – recently announced a final expansion at the Altoona Data Center which made the site the company’s largest operational data center … WORLDWIDE!
In addition to Meta, Apple also has a data center in Iowa – in Waukee! The $1.375 billion state-of-the-art data center is located on 2,000 acres of a 3,500-acre site. The land, which spans about a mile, is owned by 28 property owners.
Iowa is becoming a data center! Apple, Meta, Google, and Microsoft all have roots in our state. Why Iowa? The companies have indicated that Iowa has a “large inventory of land, low energy costs, high portfolio of renewable energy, and low risk of natural disasters.”
The data centers are excellent for Iowans! Not only are most buildings being powered by 100% renewable energy, the data centers provide local construction and operations jobs, as well as data center employment opportunities. And, often, public improvement funds are tied to the projects which can be used by the cities where the centers are located.
What an exciting time to be an Iowan! I’d love to talk more about innovative things happening in our neighborhoods. Feel free to contact me about how your commercial real estate development might fit into the bustling communities in and around Des Moines.