NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) -- Another data center company is on its way, with a Denver-based business planning a $185 million project after being given a tax exemption.
Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced Vantage Data Centers this week as one of nine projects approved in the state. The computer data center business has committed to $110 million in building costs and $75 million in machinery costs for the project, which will be located on Horizon Court near the intersection of Beech Road and Jug Street.
Vantage was selected by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority for a 50% data center sales tax exemption lasting through the end of 2033. The exemption is for sales and use taxes associated with equipment purchases necessary to the data center's construction, with the credit estimated to be worth nearly $7 million. New Albany's city council still has to approve the project, with it expected to be considered in August.
With over 30 campuses across five continents, Vantage helps cool, protect and connect the technology of hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. The company's New Albany data center is expected to create 12 full-time positions and more than $1.6 million in annual payroll.
The Ohio Department of Development did not specify when the company would begin work on the project.
Since Intel broke ground in 2022, the part of New Albany in Licking County has seen rapid development as other companies follow it to the Silicon Heartland.
Intel's $20 billion Ohio One plant is scheduled to be finished in 2026 or 2027 before becoming operational by 2028. In early May, Intel put out the most recent renderings of its semiconductor fabrication plant.
Other projects in the area include Microsoft, which has now bought over 700 acres in Licking County; Google, which has announced two data centers in central Ohio; and Amazon, which has acquired over $100 million worth of land in Franklin County.
State officials have looked to continue to fuel the growth. In July 2023, DeWine and Husted announced a $90 million project to fund local and state transportation projects, in part to accommodate Licking County's new tech residents.
“It proves to Intel and any business in the world that we are delivering on time. We’re delivering what we said we would deliver, which is the infrastructure around this,” Husted said.
The plant has caught more than just the attention of state officials. In May, President Joe Biden announced nearly $20 billion in direct funding and loans.
