Frequently Asked Questions - Data Centers

Florida offers several strategic advantages for data centers:

• Growing Population & Economy: Drives demand for digital services and localized data processing.
• Connectivity: Robust fiber optic networks across the state, with key interconnections.
• Low Corporate Tax Burden: Favorable business environment.
• Proximity to Latin America: Serving as a gateway for international connectivity.
• Renewable Energy Potential: Opportunities for sustainable power solutions in certain areas. However, coastal locations require careful consideration of hurricane resilience.

Data center site selection is highly specialized:

• Power Availability & Reliability: Access to high-capacity, stable power grids and redundant power sources. Utility costs are a major operational expense.
• Fiber Connectivity: Diverse fiber optic routes and low latency connections.
• Environmental Factors: Proximity to flood zones, seismic activity (low in FL), and potential for natural disasters (hurricane hardening is crucial for coastal sites).
• Zoning & Permitting: Ensuring industrial or specialized zoning permits data center operations and navigating expedited permitting.
• Water Access: For cooling systems, if applicable (e.g., chiller plants).
• Security: Proximity to flight paths, major roads, and potential security risks.
• Labor Pool: Access to skilled technical and operational staff.

We work closely with clients and utility providers to:

• Assess Power Capacity: Confirming available grid capacity and potential for upgrades.
• Redundancy Planning: Identifying sites that can support N+1 or 2N redundancy for power and cooling.
• Energy Efficiency: Exploring options for efficient cooling technologies (e.g., evaporative cooling, liquid cooling) and renewable energy integration.
• Utility Negotiations: Assisting in negotiating favorable power rates and service agreements.

Hurricane resilience is paramount:

• Elevation & Flood Zones: Prioritizing sites outside of high-risk flood zones or requiring elevated construction.
• Building Standards: Ensuring properties meet or exceed Florida's strict building codes for wind resistance.
• Redundant Systems: Implementing robust backup power (generators, UPS) and cooling systems capable of sustaining operations through outages.
• Security & Access: Planning for access and security during and after severe weather events. Our expertise includes identifying and evaluating sites with these critical resilience features.

Yes, we handle both.

• Existing Facilities: We identify operational data centers for sale, conducting detailed due diligence on their power, fiber, cooling, and security infrastructure, as well as tenant profiles and lease structures.
• Ground-Up Development: We locate and secure raw land suitable for data center construction, focusing on power, fiber, zoning, and environmental factors, then assist with the complex entitlement and permitting processes.