EdgeConneX plans more than 1 million square feet of data centers in New Albany
NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) – New data centers are coming to New Albany, with hopes to have them up and running as early as 2027.
Data center company EdgeConneX plans to develop more than 1.2 million square feet of commercial space into a series of data centers in New Albany. According to zoning applications filed with the city, EdgeConneX hopes to open its first data center in early 2027, to be powered by new on-site natural gas power plants.
EdgeConneX is a global data center constructor, and its Licking County plans would be the first EdgeConneX facilities in Ohio. The first data center will convert 525,000 square feet of existing warehouse space into a data center, with filings showing it will be complete in April 2026 and open in early 2027. The second data center will be housed in a new two-story, 700,000-square-foot building, estimated to be finished by fall 2027.
In all, EdgeConneX has several plots of land on Innovation Campus Way, amassing 74 acres. The New Albany planning commission approved EdgeConneX's temporary construction and concrete site application in June, and the company said it could begin construction as soon as July 23.
EdgeConneX is also seeking approval from the state to build two power plants on the site. Data centers require enormous amounts of power to run effectively, and EdgeConneX said it wants to power its new centers itself to alleviate pressure on AEP Ohio's infrastructure.
AEP Ohio said it would take years to build all of the infrastructure necessary to power central Ohio's many new data centers. AEP Ohio said it is not permitted to build new power plants in Ohio, so its resources are somewhat limited. With EdgeConneX's proposed power plants, it would allow the new data centers to be up and running much sooner, and EdgeConneX hopes to build one power plant by the end of this year.
Using its own power plants would also exempt EdgeConneX from new AEP Ohio regulations for data centers approved last week. The new rates apply specifically to data centers and are intended to protect major energy use costs from falling on other customers.
State filings show the EdgeConneX property has already undergone several environmental reviews and will have to proceed carefully as to not disturb endangered animals or wetlands on the property. Site renderings show EdgeConneX has planned a 50-foot protective barrier around existing wetlands on the property.
About 12 acres of the site were just recently acquired by EdgeConneX. The site was previously Kennel Club USA, a dog kennel that announced its downsizing on June 24 after selling the property to EdgeConneX. According to social media posts by the owners, previous ownership will now operate a smaller boarding service in-home, and other employees are also branching off to offer different services. Permit requests show EdgeConneX will eventually demolish the former Kennel Club USA warehouse.
State filings show the project also anticipates two superloads, or vehicular transports over 120,000 pounds, which will need to be approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation.