QTS Data Centers Makes $1 Billion South Carolina Debut Amid Busy 2023

Furthering a rush of developments charted over the past several months, QTS Data Centers this week announced that it will plant its first data center operations in South Carolina through a $1 billion investment in the state's York County that will help establish a new technology hub.

The provider of colocation data center infrastructure and related services said its York County construction debut "will generate a robust technology ecosystem" for the state, as expressed by a press release from the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

The QTS data center campus in South Carolina will be located near Hands Mill Highway and Campbell Road in unincorporated York County. DCD reporting this July revealed QTS' purchase of 400 acres of land in the county which contained the location.

Notable data center operators also doing business in South Carolina include Google, DartPoints, DC Blox and Flexential.

"QTS is pleased to announce our expansion in York County, SC with a new campus that supports growth for QTS and its partners," commented QTS Chief Executive Officer Chad Williams. "Our investment in York County is consistent with QTS’ strategy of securing access to infrastructure at scale in strategic markets to support accelerating demand from our hyperscale, enterprise, and government customer base."

Williams added, “We look forward to partnering with the community along with local and state leadership, further enhancing South Carolina as a leading technology center."

The state's Coordinating Council for Economic Development reportedly awarded a $200,000 Set-Aside grant to York County to assist with the costs of site preparation.

“With QTS Data Centers establishing operations in York County, South Carolina continues to add to its already impressive technology industry,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. "We celebrate their significant investment and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have in York County and across the state."

The state's press release noted that the QTS data center operation "will utilize carbon-free power when feasible," while leveraging "water-saving technology that uses zero water for cooling its customers’ environments."

“Digital infrastructure is critical as our reliance on technology increases," noted South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. "We’re proud that high-tech companies like QTS Data Centers recognize that South Carolina’s assets will enable sustained success and look forward to the impact of this $1 billion investment in York County and beyond.”

When available, job opportunities at the new data center campus will be posted on the QTS website.

“QTS Data Centers' $1 billion investment in York County reflects our community's commitment to a brighter future," concluded York County Council Chairwoman Christi Cox. "Their presence here will significantly boost public school funding and broaden our tax base. We extend thanks to our local utility partners for their invaluable support in making this vision a reality. Welcome to York County, QTS."

An expansive year for QTS

The South Carolina news comes on the heels of the Financial Times' widely reported August confirmation that premier global property fund Blackstone intends to invest $8 billion in new data centers built through its portfolio company QTS, who has indeed been having something of a banner year so far.

In May, QTS announced the expansion of its Phoenix Data Center Campus at 1200 40th St. in Phoenix, AZ, on the heels of a March 21 groundbreaking event marking the start of construction for its PHX2 DC5 facility.

With 280+ MW of current planned capacity, QTS said its 85-acre Phoenix campus is designed to meet the needs of rapid, large-scale deployments. What started as just one data center at the QTS Phoenix site - the 337, 334 SF, 42 MW QTS Phoenix DC1 facility - has expanded over a few months into a campus made up of what ultimately will be five data centers.

Then in June came word that the City of Fayetteville, Georgia had approved a development agreement for 612-acre QTS Data Center on Hwy. 54 West in Fayetteville, based on a vote by the Fayetteville City Council determining that the huge mid-county data center construction project faces no roadblocks.

The council on June 15 unanimously voted “to adopt the Development Agreement between the City of Fayetteville and National Acquisition Company, LLC for the QTS Data Center located at 1435 Highway 54 West.”

As reported by Fayetteville local news outlet The Citizen, the conceptual site plan for the QTS data center tract was approved by the city's Planning and Zoning Commission on February 2 of this year.

Though it may not rise to the level of "roadblock," it must be noted that follow-up reporting from The Citizen on Sept. 19 saw the Fayetteville City Council deliberating minor changes to the zoning for the QTS data center construction project, with one purpose being to clarify exactly what will happen to a current tree buffer separating the site's large construction area from the adjacent Georgia Highway 54 right of way.

QTS: 'Powered by People'

In a smaller but no less notable debut this month, the following video from the company illustrates how QTS Realty Trust, Inc. is a top provider of data center solutions spanning across a diverse footprint of more than 7M SF of owned mega scale data center space within North America and Europe.

As stated by the company, the video renders how, through its software-defined technology platform, QTS is able "to deliver secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading hyperscale technology companies, enterprises, and government entities."

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