Digital Realty Makes $150 Million Commitment in Loudoun County
At least 50 new jobs to be added due to campus expansion
Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Digital Realty Trust, Inc., a leading global provider of data center solutions, has made a firm commitment to invest at least $150 million by 2015 in its Loudoun County operation. The campus expansion is expected to create at least 50 new jobs in the county.
By making this commitment, the company will be eligible for a sales tax exemption on eligible data center computer equipment as a result of legislation passed in 2009 by the General Assembly. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Loudoun County to grant the exemption to Digital Realty.
“This sales tax exemption is really a boon for our customers with data centers located in Loudoun County – already one of the most attractive data center markets in the country,” said Michael F. Foust, chief executive officer of Digital Realty. “The significant relief we and our customers expect to receive effectively lowers the total cost of ownership of our data centers in the area. We are very excited about this development and believe it further establishes Virginia as a key hub for companies seeking to locate or strengthen their east coast data center footprint.”
“Digital Realty’s continued commitment to Loudoun speaks volumes about the state of the digital economy in Northern Virginia,” said Scott York, the chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. “This major investment in ‘data center alley’ and the high quality jobs that come with it is a big win for Loudoun.”
Loudoun already has one of the strongest data center markets in the U.S., with five million square feet of existing data centers and another three million square feet in development.
“The Board of Supervisors has been focused since day one on expanding Loudoun’s commercial tax base, bringing jobs and revenue to our county,” said Matt Letourneau, chair of the board’s Economic Development Committee. “This incentive, as well as our abundant fiber, low electricity rates, and proximity to key markets, reinforces Loudoun’s status as a premier data center location.”
“Digital Realty, with more than one million square feet of space, is the largest data center operator in Loudoun County,” according to Loudoun County Economic Development Assistant Director Buddy Rizer. “We look forward to the completion of their newest building, a 400,000 square foot facility that will ultimately house 22 data centers.”
Digital Realty expects to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility next month.