The digital infrastructure landscape is constantly evolving. For years, one location reigned supreme: Ashburn, Virginia, often dubbed “Data Center Alley.” Its historical dominance was built on proximity to major network peering points and early fiber build-outs, making it the go-to hub for hyper-scale deployments and low-latency connections.
However, the needs of the modern digital world are pushing beyond single concentrated areas. As demand for computing power continues its relentless climb, factors like power availability, cost, and land scarcity in established markets are driving significant interest in new locations.
Emerging data center markets are gaining serious traction. Places like Phoenix, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and Columbus are seeing substantial investment and development. What makes these regions attractive? Often, it’s a combination of crucial factors: Abundant and affordable power, often with a greater emphasis on renewable energy options; lower land costs compared to dense, established areas; attractive tax incentives offered by state and local governments; and improving connectivity infrastructure as fiber routes diversify.
These emerging hubs offer businesses increased flexibility, enhanced disaster recovery options through geographic separation, and the ability to serve users in different parts of the country with reduced latency. They are critical for supporting the massive scaling required by cloud providers, content delivery networks, and enterprises.
So, are these rising stars truly rivaling Ashburn? While they may not yet match its sheer scale or the depth of its established ecosystem, they represent a necessary and powerful expansion of the digital frontier. They are not just alternatives but essential components of a robust, distributed data center infrastructure. Ashburn remains foundational, but emerging markets are indispensable for meeting the exponential growth in data processing and storage needs worldwide. Their rise signifies a healthy diversification of digital capacity across the nation.
Source: https://www.datacenters.com/news/the-new-wave-of-data-center-cities-who-s-catching-up-to-ashburn
