Data Centers in Akron
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Akron – Cost-Effective & Low-Risk Colocation
Akron serves as a strong secondary market for enterprises that prioritize operational stability and cost control. The region's very low natural disaster risk and competitive power costs make it an excellent choice for disaster recovery sites and workloads that are not hyper-sensitive to latency. This market delivers reliable infrastructure without the premium cost of primary coastal hubs.
Akron: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Solid regional connectivity, but not a primary peering or interconnection hub. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | The nearest major on-ramp hub is Columbus; private connectivity is available. |
| Power Cost | $0.07 – $0.09/kWh | Competitive rates are supported by Ohio's diverse natural gas and nuclear energy mix. |
| Disaster Risk | Low (NRI Score: 19.50) | Very low exposure to major national disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes. |
| Tax Incentives | Yes | Negotiated tax credits are available for large-scale data center projects. |
| Sales Tax | 5.75% (State Rate) – as of September 2025 | Local county and city taxes may apply on top of the state rate. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Akron provides reliable, though not exceptionally dense, connectivity suitable for a wide range of business applications. The ecosystem is sufficient for standard enterprise needs and disaster recovery deployments.
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: The market offers access to 3+ providers, as of September 2025, including major regional and national carriers. Carrier-neutral facilities provide options for creating redundant network paths.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: As of September 2025, there are no direct public cloud on-ramps located within Akron. Businesses connect to hyperscale clouds via the nearest major hub in Columbus through private network interconnects, dedicated fiber, or wavelength services.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Public peering is limited within the immediate Akron area. Most network interconnection occurs through private peering arrangements or by connecting to the Ohio-IX in Columbus, the state's primary peering point.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are available in the Akron market. Providers like ColoCrossing and Hivelocity offer dedicated server solutions for workloads requiring direct hardware access and consistent performance.
Power Analysis
Ohio's energy landscape provides a stable and cost-effective foundation for data center operations. The state's commitment to a diverse generation portfolio directly benefits high-consumption users.
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates in the Akron area typically range from $0.07 to $0.09/kWh, as of 2023. These competitive prices, driven by a grid powered heavily by natural gas (59%) and nuclear (12%), help control long-term operational expenditures.
Power Grid Reliability: The power grid supporting the Akron region is well-engineered for industrial loads. Data centers are typically served by redundant power feeds from multiple substations, ensuring high levels of uptime for critical infrastructure.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Akron's strategic location in Northeast Ohio offers access to a significant economic corridor with a favorable business environment.
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Akron are positioned to serve the manufacturing, healthcare, and corporate headquarters located throughout the Cleveland-Akron-Canton metropolitan area. This proximity enables low-latency connections for local and regional enterprises.
Regional Market Reach: From Akron, digital services can effectively reach a large population base across the Midwest and Northeast. The market provides a solid geographic point of presence for reaching customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Ohio provides significant tax incentives for large-scale data center developments, which are negotiated on a project-by-project basis. These programs can substantially reduce the long-term tax burden and operational costs for qualifying facilities.
Natural Disaster Risk
Akron has a very low risk profile for natural disasters, making it a secure location for critical IT infrastructure. The FEMA National Risk Index score is Low (NRI Score: 19.50), as of September 2025, placing it among the safer locations in the nation.
Key risks are primarily weather-related and manageable with standard facility engineering. The main hazards for the region include tornadoes, strong winds, winter weather, riverine flooding, and hail. The area has minimal exposure to seismic activity and no direct threat from hurricanes.
