Northern Virginia
With over 200 data centers, it's quoted from coresite.com as the “data center capital of the world.” Considering its strategic and convenient location, Northern Virginia prompts connections to other significant markets. According to datacentermap.com, the Equinix data center is “one of the most interconnected data centers in the world.” This is all well and good for the data centers and AI production, but what about the residents of the state?
It may be expected that these institutions will bring a wealth of jobs to communities, and they may bring a few, but it’s not the high-paying tech jobs the majority expect. Plus, the buildings are often drab, gray, and look like prisons from the outside. Who wants that to stain their local community?
Dallas
In the state where everything is bigger, Dallas has 207 data centers. And that’s just one city in the state of Texas, so imagine how many more there are in other cities, like Houston.
Sure, the state may benefit from these centers, such as economic growth and an influx of jobs, but consequences are also reaped. Energy grids are strained, which can affect the energy use in people's homes, and water is consumed consistently for the functioning of the centers, which can deplete water resources for communities all over the state.
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is home to several industry giants, such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, and Amazon, so it’s no surprise that it has about 150 data centers. Its effective connectivity options work wonders for the data centers, but perhaps not so much for citizens residing in the area.
According to coresite.com, “it has the highest real estate and power costs in the country.” As mentioned earlier, data centers drain power from energy grids, and they can lead to higher utility costs, the last thing Silicon Valley residents want or need.
Los Angeles
It’s also no surprise that LA has data centers. Truly, the city is a business in itself, with a flow of companies – entertainment, tech, business, etc. – that amalgamate into a hub of market and profit.
Apparently, the area has been slow in getting more data centers, but that may be for the best. That city doesn’t need more ways to be crowded to the point where no one or nothing can move without bumping into something else.
New York Tri-State Area
New York isn’t only known as the city that never sleeps. It’s also a gold mine for financial services, which makes it a great fit for data centers. The area is rather perfect for these centers, because they’re at a lower risk of being affected by natural disasters.
But no one seems to be asking New Yorkers how they feel about these 133 data centers. The city is already unaffordable unless you’re rich, so the costs of living and energy are undoubtedly at risk of rising. Not to mention, the buildings are taking up more space in a city that is full of skyscrapers packed together like sardines.
Chicago
As one of the top five cities in the country for connectivity, Chicago is great for data centers. Yet, these institutions increase pollution from backup generators and can create instability among local communities. They may provide Chicago with crucial digital infrastructure, although concerns of sustainability and the health of vulnerable communities arise.
Washington D.C.
The nation’s capital houses almost 100 centers. With its government agencies and powerhouses residing in the district, data centers fit in the area like a puzzle piece. Data centers bring in more jobs and work wonders for the capital's digital and economic stability. However, pollution and water depletion come from the centers and affect communities in various ways.
Atlanta
Atlanta has over 70 data centers that host a wealth of companies: technology, health, security, digital media, and transportation. The area has a reliable power grid, perfect for data centers and their functions.
The area also has communities that can be affected by these centers. To name a few, land use is reserved for these buildings rather than housing civilians, the climate is affected by the center’s use of water, which adds to pollution, and local revenue may be reduced.
Miami
Miami isn’t just known for its eclectic parties and nightlife, but now the city houses 42 data centers. I guess the city felt it necessary to balance nightlife vibes with AI tech. Fun versus the mundane.
Residing close to the water, Miami could, and probably is, affected by the center's heavy use of water, and the pollution they add to the air can’t be good for the ocean and its creatures. However, data centers do bring new jobs to communities and power critical services, such as banking and healthcare.
Phoenix
Finally, there’s Phoenix that has over 60 data centers. The city is a rather affordable place to live, but these centers can rise costs of utilities, but they can also boost tax revenue.
Data centers are a give and take; you win some, you lose some. Although its effect on the climate is significant and should be carefully watched, especially in Arizona. The residents definitely don’t want it getting any hotter than it already is.
Information cited from coresite.com and datacentermap.com
