Data Center Signal is tracking 90 clips about Digital Realty data center developments across 15 states, including NC, VA, TX, KS, GA.
A historic building in Uptown Charlotte, the Court Arcade, has been demolished to make way for a new data center developed by Digital Realty. An architect lamented the loss of the 1920s-era building, noting that its lack of local historic landmark status allowed for its redevelopment.
Digital Realty acquired two large suburban Chicago properties in Rolling Meadows and Stickney for data center development, totaling $171.5 million. These purchases occur as the region faces significant hurdles, including local opposition leading to moratoria, power grid strain, and a state-level pause on data center tax incentives. Future development at these sites depends on navigating permitting and power challenges.
The City of Forest Park, Georgia, has approved a 90-day moratorium on new data center applications. This pause is intended to allow the city to adjust its current zoning laws, which currently permit data center construction "by right." The city plans to introduce new definitions, regulations, and buffer requirements for data centers.
A historic 100-year-old Court Arcade building in Uptown Charlotte is being demolished to make way for a data center by Digital Realty. Preservation leaders are expressing concern over the loss of historic landmarks due to rapid development and are advocating for a role in future development decisions. The demolished building was eligible for historic landmark status but was not officially designated.
The Forest Park City Council approved a 90-day data center moratorium to allow time to draft changes to its zoning laws. This action aims to balance the economic benefits of data centers with long-term community impacts. The city plans to refine data center definitions and regulations, including proximity buffers and company accountability.
Don Slaiman of IBEW Local 26 discusses the significant economic benefits data centers provide for blue-collar workers, leading to substantial wage gains and middle-class opportunities. He highlights the union's advocacy at public hearings and the efforts of data center operators to address community concerns regarding water usage, noise, and energy efficiency. The discussion emphasizes the industry's role in creating wealth and skilled jobs.
Data center developers Beal Infrastructure and Digital Realty are promoting job creation in DeSoto, Kansas, with promises of hundreds of construction jobs and dozens of full-time operational roles. Residents, like Sarah Vande Creek, question the true long-term benefits versus costs, while City Administrator Mike Berngartt supports the facilities aligning with the city's workforce development vision.
Hillsboro's Planning Commission heard public testimony on proposed data center restrictions, including limits near schools. This follows a 120-day moratorium enacted shortly after Digital Realty Trust applied to build a data center near Liberty High School. Residents expressed concerns about the size of data centers but want clear rules.
Emerald AI, a startup focused on managing AI data center power demands, has raised $150 million in Series A funding. The company's technology dynamically adjusts electricity consumption based on grid conditions to free up power for AI while maintaining grid reliability. Emerald AI is partnering with companies including Nvidia and Digital Realty to launch a power-flexible AI data center in Manassas, Virginia, later this year.
WhiteFiber announced a $60 million expansion to build two data centers with 60MW initial capacity in Yadkinville, North Carolina. This occurred as Yadkin County Commissioners enacted a two-year moratorium on data center zoning permits in unincorporated areas, driven by resident opposition over environmental concerns. However, WhiteFiber's project is unaffected due to existing industrial zoning within an incorporated municipality.
Digital Realty submitted a land use application for a data center in Hillsboro, Oregon, just before the city's 120-day moratorium went into effect. The proposed site is near Liberty High School, raising community concerns about energy demands and health impacts. The project has an estimated valuation over $5 million.
The US data center boom, fueled by AI, is significantly benefiting the manufacturing sector and driving job growth across the nation. Economic and labor market research indicates a more than twofold increase in AI-related job postings since 2023. Companies like Generac, a generator manufacturer, are part of the supply chain experiencing this positive impact.
Data centers in Cook County, Illinois, particularly near O'Hare International Airport, have received nearly $100 million in local property tax breaks through assessment reductions and special incentives. This shifts a significant tax burden onto suburban homeowners, leading to growing public backlash and ongoing disputes with the Cook County Assessor's office over property valuation methodologies. Cook County leaders are now considering reforms to these tax incentive programs.
Garland, Texas, has been home to major data center operations for years, including facilities from Stream Data Centers, NTT Global Data Centers, Digital Realty, and an upcoming development by Prime Data Centers. The article discusses the economic benefits these centers bring, such as private investment and tax contributions, alongside community concerns regarding electricity and water usage. It emphasizes Garland's unique position to engage in dialogue with data center companies due to its long-standing experience with the industry.
A panel discussion in Fort Worth addressed misinformation about data centers, their economic impact in Texas, and concerns regarding natural resource consumption and the electric grid. Experts emphasized the need for transparency from the industry and explored sustainable practices like using produced water for cooling. The discussion highlighted the balance between economic benefits and environmental consequences, noting an audit by Gov. Greg Abbott to assess power demands.
Digital Realty Trust is acquiring Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero and Stickney, Illinois, for a data center project, facing strong opposition from local officials and residents concerned about utility strain and noise. The Village of Stickney has enacted a moratorium on data center development, while state legislators are proposing a bill to regulate data center development and power usage statewide.
Stickney village officials, including Mayor Mitch Milenkovic and the board of trustees, oppose a proposed data center development at the former Hawthorne Race Course site. The board has unanimously enacted a moratorium to block any data center proposals, citing concerns over water and power demand and noise nuisances. Digital Realty has been identified as the developer behind the buyer, Allimac 2023 LLC, with neighboring Cicero also passing a resolution opposing the project.
Charlotte is halfway through its 150-day data center moratorium, prompting a town hall to discuss future policies. Concerns include climate change, water usage, and potential impacts on local communities and property values. The City Council is considering new regulations before the moratorium ends on November 5.
Mecklenburg County approved a demolition permit for the historic Court Arcade building in Charlotte, paving the way for Digital Realty's data center expansion. Preservation efforts by local architects to save the building's facade were unsuccessful, with Digital Realty citing feasibility issues for retaining the structure.
Digital Realty secured an $8.4 million permit for a renovation project at its existing data center at 350 East Cermak Road in Chicago. The project includes remodeling electrical rooms, support spaces, and replacing rooftop mechanical equipment. This permit was among the construction permits issued in Chicago for the week ending August 12, 2026.