Building a data center is not a simple process. There are several considerations and factors that play into various stages of the developmental process. However, one of the most important decisions when building a data center is location.

Many factors go into selecting the optimal location for a data center. Experts have selected six main criteria for the selection process:

• Availability, cost and redundancy of electric power
• Low risk of adverse weather events or natural disasters
• High-quality construction at a low cost
• Telecommunications infrastructure
• Cooling technology/equipment
• Quality of life

AEP commissioned Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company (BLS), a nationally recognized site location consulting firm, to determine the best data center sites in our service territory.

After a rigorous evaluation across several metrics, BLS identified ten data center site locations and ultimately developed a detailed site prospectus for each site location.

Below are the ten data center sites and a few reasons why they have been determined to be optimal locations for data center development.

1. Bradley Square – Mt. Hope, West Virginia

• Temperate climate, low cooling costs
• Minimal risk for natural disasters
• Robust utility infrastructure
• Remote location that ensures tighter security

2. Industrial Centre Site #17 – Muncie, Indiana

• Good fiber access
• Low cost of power at $0.0475 per kWh
• Optimal temperate climate
• Easy access to two major interstates

3. National Cyber Research Park – Bossier City, Louisiana

• Strong bandwidth
• Prime location with a major transportation corridor
• Robust electric supply with available capacity
• Eligible for tax increment financing

4. Findlay Commerce Park – Findlay, Ohio

• 136 developable acres
• Temperate climate
• Located in the middle of a major fiber route
• Low seismic activity

5. Wolpert Greenfield Site – Hilliard, Ohio

• Abundant utility resources
• Property is located outside the 100-year flood plain
• Site access is strong with a close interstate and airport
• State exemption from real and personal property taxes

6. Cherokee Expressway Industrial Park Site #10 – Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Located right off the highway and seven miles from the interstate
• Strong fiber infrastructure
• Low risk of seismic activity
• Eligibility for tax increment financing

7. The 59 Industrial Park Site – Victoria, Texas

• 200 developable acres
• Extremely low seismic rating
• Low cost of power at $0.0550 per kWh
• Located along an interstate highway

8. Progress Park – Wytheville, Virginia

• 717 developable acres
• Far from any potential geopolitical turmoil
• Low probability for natural disasters
• Easily accessible via two major interstates

9. Roanoke County Center for Research & Technology – Roanoke, Virginia

• Favorable fiber access
• Low risk for tornadoes and seismic activity
• Close to a main interstate and regional jet service
• Eligible for tax increment financing

10. Ignition Park – South Bend, Indiana

• Existing co-location data center in park
• Strong utilities (electric, water, nat gas and fiber)
• 4 miles south of Notre Dame University
• 5 miles from I-80/90 and 100 miles from Chicago

To view the full site prospectus for each location, visit our data center site. What are the most important factors for your organization when siting a new data center? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.