Data Centers in Akron
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Akron – Cost-Effective Midwest Colocation Hub
Akron provides a compelling, low-risk alternative to primary Midwest markets like Chicago. Businesses focused on disaster recovery, secondary deployments, and serving the Ohio Valley benefit from its favorable power costs and minimal exposure to natural disasters. This market delivers reliable infrastructure without the premium expense of a Tier 1 city.
Akron: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Solid regional connectivity, suitable for most enterprise and DR workloads. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Nearest hubs are in Columbus or Ashburn; private network extensions are available. |
| Power Cost | $0.08 - $0.11/kWh | Based on Ohio's industrial rates as of 2023. |
| Disaster Risk | Low (19.50) – as of September 2025 | Very low score from FEMA's NRI, indicating minimal environmental threats. |
| Tax Incentives | Varies | Negotiated tax credits are available for significant data center investments. |
| Sales Tax | 5.75% (Ohio State Rate) – as of September 2025 | Base state sales tax, which may have local additions. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Akron supports a healthy ecosystem with access to over 3 distinct network providers as of September 2025. The market features carrier-neutral facilities, providing competitive options for transit and transport.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct public cloud on-ramps within Akron as of September 2025. Secure, low-latency connections to major cloud providers are achieved via dedicated circuits to nearby hubs like Columbus or Ashburn.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Public peering is limited within Akron itself. Most network peering occurs privately between carriers or is routed through major regional exchanges in Columbus or Cleveland to ensure efficient traffic exchange.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available in the region, offering dedicated compute for performance-sensitive applications. Providers like Hivelocity and ColoCrossing can serve deployments in the broader Ohio market.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates in the Akron area typically range from $0.08 to $0.11 per kWh as of 2023. This competitive pricing offers a significant operational cost advantage compared to more expensive coastal data center markets.
Power Grid Reliability: The regional power grid, supplied by a mix of natural gas, coal, and nuclear sources, is well-engineered for industrial loads. Data centers in the area benefit from reliable utility service and options for redundant power feeds from separate substations.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Akron are positioned to serve the industrial, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors prominent in Northeast Ohio. This proximity allows for low-latency support for local enterprise operations.
Regional Market Reach: Akron serves as an excellent hub for reaching the population centers of Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and eastern Michigan. It is a strategic location for disaster recovery sites for businesses operating in Chicago, New York, or Ashburn.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Ohio offers significant tax incentives that can be negotiated for large-scale data center projects. These agreements can provide long-term abatements on sales and use tax for equipment purchases, substantially reducing the capital expenditure for new builds or major expansions.
Natural Disaster Risk
Akron has a very low natural disaster risk profile, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.50 as of September 2025. This makes it an ideal location for critical infrastructure requiring high uptime and minimal environmental disruption. The primary risks, while minimal, include severe winter weather, river flooding, tornadoes, and strong winds. The region has very low exposure to major threats like earthquakes or hurricanes.
