A look at Cleveland’s little-known data centers that have long been part of the city’s tech infrastructure
Cleveland has rejected a proposed 150-megawatt data center in Slavic Village, and the City Council is considering a moratorium on new data centers. Despite this, the city hosts several smaller, established data centers, known as carrier hotels, operated by companies like H5 Data Centers and BlueBridge, which serve as critical infrastructure for internet services and local businesses.
Cleveland's City Council is currently considering a moratorium on new data center developments after having already rejected a 150-megawatt facility proposed for the Slavic Village neighborhood. This move comes amidst growing discussions about data center impacts, even as Cleveland hosts several established, smaller-scale data centers that are integral to the city's tech infrastructure.
Companies like H5 Data Centers and BlueBridge operate these facilities, often referred to as "carrier hotels" or "colocation centers." David Dunn, Chief Operating Officer of H5 Data Centers, describes them as essential hubs for internet connectivity, linking long-distance fiber networks to local ones. H5's Cleveland facility on Rockwell Avenue, once a manufacturing plant, currently houses tenants like Verizon and Charter Communications and is planning a $30 million expansion, including a generator yard. Dunn notes the facility uses a closed-loop chilled water system for cooling and consumes approximately 8 megawatts of power.
BlueBridge, founded in 2004, operates a 2.1-megawatt data center in the Sterling Building, along with other locations in Mayfield Heights and Columbus. Kevin Goodman, BlueBridge's managing director and partner, emphasizes the critical role of data centers for businesses and government entities, with clients including Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio. Both H5 and BlueBridge are adapting to the evolving data landscape, with BlueBridge now engaging in AI computing at its Cleveland and Columbus centers.