Data Centers in Ankeny

Ankeny, IA – Cost-Effective Midwest Colocation

Ankeny offers a compelling, low-risk environment for companies needing resilient infrastructure in the central United States. Its combination of aggressive tax incentives, low disaster risk, and a high concentration of renewable energy makes it a strategic choice for businesses prioritizing cost control and operational stability over high-density interconnection.

Ankeny, IA: At A Glance

Network & Connectivity Ecosystem

Ankeny is a developing market focused on regional enterprise and disaster recovery deployments rather than dense, low-latency interconnection.

Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Carrier availability is sufficient for enterprise needs, with at least one carrier-neutral facility in the market as of September 2025. The ecosystem is smaller compared to primary hubs like Chicago.

Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no public cloud on-ramps within Ankeny as of September 2025. Businesses connect to cloud providers via private network extensions (PNI or wave) to major hubs like Chicago or Kansas City.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Public peering is limited in Ankeny. Most interconnection is handled privately or through network providers routing traffic to larger exchange points in Des Moines or other regional cities.

Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available, primarily through providers offering services from nearby major metropolitan areas. Providers like phoenixNAP and ColoCrossing can serve the region.

Power Analysis

Iowa's power infrastructure is a significant advantage for data center operators, characterized by a high percentage of renewables and competitive pricing.

Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates typically range from $0.07 to $0.09/kWh as of September 2025. This competitive pricing can substantially lower total operational costs for power-intensive deployments.

Power Grid Reliability: The regional power grid is well-engineered and reliable, with a generation mix dominated by approximately 60% renewables, mostly from wind. This profile provides both sustainability benefits and cost stability.

Market Access, Business & Tax Climate

Ankeny leverages its position within the Des Moines metropolitan area to offer a strong business and tax environment for capital-intensive projects like data centers.

Proximity To Key Business Districts: Located just north of Des Moines, Ankeny provides easy access to the state's financial, insurance, and agricultural technology sectors. This proximity is ideal for local enterprises needing off-site infrastructure.

Regional Market Reach: The market effectively serves businesses across Iowa and the broader Upper Midwest. It is a strategic location for disaster recovery sites for companies with primary operations in Chicago, Kansas City, or Minneapolis.

Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Iowa provides a powerful sales and use tax exemption on equipment and electricity for qualifying data center projects. This incentive significantly reduces the initial capital investment and ongoing operational expenses, making large-scale builds more financially viable.

Natural Disaster Risk

Ankeny has a moderate natural disaster risk profile, with an overall FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.14 out of 100 as of September 2025. The primary threats are atmospheric.

The area's most significant risks include:

• Severe Wind (Tornado, Straight-line Wind)
• Hail
• Ice Storm
• River Flooding
• Drought
• Winter Weather