Data Centers in Kalamazoo
1 locations found
Need Help?
Tell us about your needs and our team of experts will help you find and choose the perfect Data Center and solution at the best price.
Explore Other Markets in Michigan
Kalamazoo – A Low-Risk Edge Colocation Market
Kalamazoo provides a stable and low-risk environment for companies needing reliable IT infrastructure in Western Michigan. This market is well-suited for disaster recovery, secondary deployments, and edge computing applications that serve the region's manufacturing, education, and healthcare sectors.
Kalamazoo: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Solid regional connectivity, suitable for most enterprise needs. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Access cloud providers via the primary hub in Chicago through private network extensions. |
| Power Cost | $0.09 – $0.11/kWh | Rates are competitive for the Midwest, supporting cost-effective operations. |
| Disaster Risk | Low (9.32 score) – as of September 2025 | Very low exposure to major natural disasters, enhancing uptime potential. |
| Tax Incentives | Yes | Sales and use tax exemptions are available for qualified data center equipment. |
| Sales Tax | 6.00% – as of September 2025 | Michigan state sales tax rate. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: The market includes 2 providers, as of September 2025. While not a dense carrier hub, connectivity is sufficient for regional enterprise and edge workloads.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct cloud on-ramps located within Kalamazoo, as of September 2025. Businesses connect to all major cloud providers, including AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, through network extensions to the primary connectivity hub in Chicago.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Public peering is limited in Kalamazoo. Most network peering is conducted privately or through major internet exchanges located in nearby Chicago.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available. Providers like Hivelocity and ColoCrossing can serve customers in the region, offering dedicated compute for performance-sensitive applications.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates in the Kalamazoo area typically range from $0.09 to $0.11 per kWh, as of September 2025. These competitive power costs help reduce the total cost of ownership for colocation deployments. The state's power mix includes 11% renewables, primarily from wind generation.
Power Grid Reliability: The power grid supporting Kalamazoo's commercial and industrial zones is well-engineered for reliability. Local infrastructure is designed to support the needs of critical facilities, including manufacturing and healthcare.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Kalamazoo are positioned to serve the city's key industries, including life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and higher education institutions like Western Michigan University. This proximity enables low-latency connectivity for local operations.
Regional Market Reach: Kalamazoo is a strategic location for serving Western Michigan and the broader Great Lakes region. It provides a viable alternative to more congested and costly markets like Chicago for secondary or disaster recovery sites.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Michigan offers significant tax advantages that directly lower capital expenses for data center operators and tenants. The state provides a sales and use tax exemption on qualified data center equipment, which reduces the cost of deploying servers, storage, and networking hardware.
Natural Disaster Risk
Kalamazoo has a very low natural disaster risk profile, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.32 out of 100, as of September 2025. This makes it an exceptionally stable location for critical IT infrastructure.
The primary environmental risks are atmospheric and seasonal. Key considerations include tornadoes, strong winds, hail, and winter weather events like ice storms and cold waves. The risks from wildfire and landslide events are minimal.
