Data Centers in Great Falls
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Great Falls – Strategic Power & Tax Advantages
Executive Summary
Great Falls offers a compelling financial case for companies with workloads that are not hyper-sensitive to latency. The market's primary advantages are extremely low power costs and significant tax incentives, including a complete absence of sales tax. This makes it an ideal location for businesses aiming to optimize the total cost of ownership for their digital infrastructure.
Great Falls: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Reliable connectivity for regional needs, not a primary international hub. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Nearest hubs are Denver or Seattle; private network extensions are available. |
| Power Cost | $0.05–$0.07/kWh – as of September 2025 | Among the lowest industrial power costs in the United States. |
| Disaster Risk | Moderate (59.12 score) – as of September 2025 | Main risks are atmospheric; lacks exposure to major coastal or seismic events. |
| Tax Incentives | Yes | Data center-specific property tax abatements are authorized at the local level. |
| Sales Tax | 0.00% (Montana) – as of Midyear 2025 | No state sales tax provides significant savings on hardware and software purchases. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Great Falls is a regional connectivity point rather than a dense, national hub. Infrastructure is reliable and sufficient for serving Montana and the surrounding northern states.
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: The market contains over 2 carriers as of September 2025. While not a densely populated carrier hotel environment, it provides sufficient diversity for redundant enterprise and regional connectivity.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct cloud on-ramps within Great Falls as of September 2025. Businesses requiring dedicated connections to major cloud providers typically establish private network links to hubs in Denver or Seattle.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Public peering is not a feature of this market. Most interconnection is handled privately between carriers or routed through regional exchange points in larger metropolitan areas.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available, typically through providers that specialize in edge or regional markets. Providers like ColoCrossing offer solutions suitable for this type of location.
Power Analysis
Great Falls stands out for its exceptionally low power costs and stable grid, providing a strong financial incentive for compute-heavy operations.
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates range from $0.05–$0.07/kWh as of September 2025. This rate is substantially lower than the national average, translating directly into lower operational expenses.
Power Grid Reliability: The regional power grid is well-engineered and reliable. The energy mix consists of 57% low-carbon/renewable sources and 43% fossil fuels, providing a stable supply for continuous data center operations.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
The business environment in Great Falls is defined by low costs and strategic access to regional industries.
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Great Falls are positioned to serve key regional entities, including local government, agricultural technology companies, and the nearby Malmstrom Air Force Base.
Regional Market Reach: The market provides effective, low-latency coverage for the state of Montana and can serve as a disaster recovery or secondary site for businesses in the broader Northern Rocky Mountain region.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: The financial benefits are significant. A 0% state sales tax eliminates a major capital expense when purchasing servers and network equipment, while specific property tax abatements for data centers further reduce long-term operational costs.
Natural Disaster Risk
Great Falls has a moderate natural disaster risk profile, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.12 out of 100 as of September 2025. The location is insulated from hurricanes, tsunamis, and major coastal flooding.
Key risks are primarily atmospheric and geologic. The most notable hazards for this area include Wildfire, Winter Weather, Drought, Riverine Flooding, and Earthquake risk.
