Data Centers in Ohio

Ohio – Scalable Infrastructure for Mission Critical Loads

Executive Summary

Ohio is the powerhouse of the Midwest, providing a resilient base for enterprise organizations that need to scale without the high costs of coastal markets. It is a strategic choice for companies balancing high-density compute requirements with ultra-low natural disaster risk. Placing infrastructure here secures long-term stability and cost-efficiency for large-scale digital operations.

Ohio: At A Glance

Network & Connectivity Ecosystem

Ohio functions as a high-capacity transit point for North American data traffic. The infrastructure is purpose-built to handle low-latency requirements for the manufacturing and finance sectors.

Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Carrier count: over 26. Most facilities are carrier-neutral, providing access to approximately 25–30 regional and national providers as of September 2025.

Direct Cloud On-Ramps: Over 2, enabling access to 3 cloud regions. Localized access points include AWS and Google Cloud (GCP) as of September 2025.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Peering is concentrated in Columbus and Cincinnati through regional exchanges like the Ohio IX, which reduces latency by keeping local traffic within state borders.

Bare Metal: Bare metal services are readily available from established providers such as Hivelocity and phoenixNAP, providing rapid scaling for compute-heavy applications.

Power Analysis

Energy availability is a primary driver for the expansion of data centers in this region. The grid is supported by a stable fuel mix that prioritizes industrial reliability.

Average Cost Of Power: $0.08/kWh, as of September 2025. This cost profile represents a significant saving over neighboring Eastern markets, directly lowering the total cost of ownership for colocation deployments. The generation mix includes 59% natural gas and 19% coal, ensuring a consistent supply for industrial consumers.

Power Grid Reliability: The electrical grid in major hubs like New Albany and Dublin is well-engineered with redundant substations. High-voltage transmission lines are specifically routed to support the high uptime demands of modern server farms.

Market Access, Business & Tax Climate

Ohio provides a stable business environment with a clear focus on attracting technology investment through financial structural advantages.

Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers are concentrated near Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. This positioning allows for immediate proximity to major corporate headquarters in the insurance, retail, and healthcare sectors.

Regional Market Reach: Ohio is centrally located, putting 60% of the US and Canadian populations within a one-day drive. This makes it a smart site for edge caching and regional distribution.

Tax Advantage For Data Centers: The state provides negotiated tax credits for large infrastructure investments. These incentives focus on reducing the financial burden of hardware refreshes and facility construction, helping customers preserve capital for core operations.

Natural Disaster Risk

The overall risk to physical infrastructure in Ohio is Low, with a FEMA score of 19.5 as of September 2025. The geography is naturally shielded from the most destructive coastal events, making it a reliable choice for primary or disaster recovery sites.

Tornado: Moderate risk; modern facilities use reinforced concrete to withstand high wind speeds.

Strong Wind: Frequent during seasonal transitions; buildings are typically rated for high-velocity gusts.

Winter Weather: Includes ice and heavy snow; data centers maintain specialized site access and fuel contracts to ensure continuity.

River Flooding: Risks are localized to specific low-lying areas; site selection usually favors higher elevations in the Columbus and Cincinnati suburbs.

Lightning: Standard for the region; industrial-grade grounding and surge protection are mandatory for all top-tier sites.