Data Centers in Akron

Akron – Resilient Infrastructure for the Midwest

Executive Summary

Akron is a strategic choice for enterprises requiring high-uptime colocation with a focus on geographic stability. This market serves as a vital secondary hub for the Great Lakes region, offering low environmental risk and reliable connectivity to major Midwestern metros. Organizations can secure digital assets in an area known for steady operational continuity and competitive energy costs.

Akron: At A Glance

Network & Connectivity Ecosystem

Akron offers a stable networking environment for enterprises that prioritize consistency over extreme density.

Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Carrier count: over 3, as of September 2025. The market maintains a reliable selection of regional and national fiber providers, ensuring competitive transit options for local deployments. You will find enough variety to keep your path diversity requirements satisfied without the pricing premium found in primary tier-one markets.

Direct Cloud On-Ramps: 0, enabling access to 0 cloud regions, as of September 2025. While local physical on-ramps are absent, connectivity to the major cloud hub in Columbus is standard via private interconnects or wave services. Most operators here have well-established paths to reach major providers in the state capital.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Most peering occurs via private interconnects or by linking to larger regional exchanges in Cleveland or Columbus to optimize traffic flow. Local traffic typically stays local, while broader reach is managed through these nearby high-density hubs.

Bare Metal: General availability exists through providers like ColoCrossing, as of September 2025. This allows for rapid scaling of physical compute without the overhead of hardware management.

Power Analysis

Akron provides a predictable power environment that is critical for long-term budget management.

Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity in this region typically ranges from $0.07/kWh to $0.09/kWh, as of September 2025. These competitive rates help manage the total cost of ownership for high-density compute clusters. The local energy mix consists of 59% natural gas, 19% coal, 12% nuclear, and 10% renewables.

Power Grid Reliability: The local grid is supported by a diverse generation mix, providing a well-engineered and redundant power source. Facilities often benefit from multi-substation support common in the industrial corridors of Northeast Ohio, ensuring that your racks stay energized even during peak regional demand.

Market Access, Business & Tax Climate

Akron functions as a bridge between the industrial legacy of the region and its digital future.

Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in the Akron market are positioned near the city health, polymer, and manufacturing sectors. This proximity allows for low-latency support of industrial IoT and healthcare data management, keeping critical applications close to the point of use.

Regional Market Reach: Akron serves as a critical bridge between Cleveland and Columbus, providing an effective disaster recovery or edge site for the broader Northeast Ohio population. It is far enough from other metros for redundancy but close enough for easy physical access.

Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Ohio provides negotiated tax breaks through the Ohio Tax Credit Authority for major data center projects. These incentives assist in managing costs for infrastructure and equipment investments, significantly lowering the barrier for large-scale deployments.

Natural Disaster Risk

Akron is a geographically stable market with a Low FEMA NRI Score of 19.50, as of September 2025. The region is largely insulated from major natural catastrophes, making it an ideal site for backup and recovery operations.

Primary risks include:

• Winter Weather
• Ice Storms
• River Flooding
• Tornadoes
• Strong Winds

Other hazards such as earthquakes and heat waves are considered minor or are not listed as significant threats to operational uptime in this region.