FedEx Opens Data Center
After seven years of planning, FedEx opened their new 140,000-square-foot corporate Colorado Springs Data Center in Northgate business park which, by 2013, will replace their corporate technology center located in Memphis. “This will become our primary data center and will represent 40 percent of our overall computing capacity,” Rob Carter, Chief Information Officer for FedEx, said. “We have made a significant investment this facility. It will be one of our largest data centers for years to come.” Their new facility has all of the bells and whistles from a Data Center Design perspective including the application of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification and more than 200 days of free cooling annually.
Walmart – Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs officials are confident that Walmart will build a $100 million data center on 24 acres at the northern edge of the city. Walmart is considering construction of a 163,000 square foot data center on the site. Academy School District 20, El Paso County Commission, and the Colorado Springs City Council partnered to create an incentive package to draw Walmart to Colorado Springs. The total investment by Walmart over a 15 year time frame is expected to be over $450 million, including construction costs, equipment purchases, and salaries. Agilent Technologies is contemplating the construction of a 55,000 square foot data center on its’ campus in Colorado Springs. Agilent estimates that it will add 131 jobs with an average salary of $74,000 per year. In all, Agilent’s investment into Colorado Springs over a 15 year period is expected to be in excess of $700 million. Colorado Springs is already a prominent data center market with Progressive Insurance, Verizon Wireless, HP, and FedEx all operating facilities in the city.
Vineyard Data Center – Colorado Springs
Vineyard Data Center Park is a 108 acre development immediately south of downtown Colorado Springs, designed to become the region’s first covenant controlled, sustainable, data center campus. As a result of a public-private partnership, the development will feature innovative, environmentally friendly technologies such as 100% renewable power at 39% below the nation’s average power rate, grey water reuse, storm water conservation program, recycled building materials, permeable pavement, xeriscaping, wetlands preservation, wildlife habitat preservation, tree harvesting and salvage, composting opportunities, county-wide trail system connecting dedicated open space. Specific covenants are intended to reinforce an overall theme of sustainability in building design and environmentally low impact building and business practices. This site allows for single occupancy, wholly owned or leased buildings, colocation and traditional data center support services in a region insulated from natural or man-made disasters.
