Data Centers in Charleston
2 locations found
Need Help?
Tell us about your needs and our team of experts will help you find and choose the perfect Data Center and solution at the best price.
Explore Other Markets in West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia – A Secure, Low-Risk Colocation Hub
Executive Summary
Charleston, West Virginia is a compelling market for organizations prioritizing operational stability and cost efficiency. Its moderate natural disaster risk profile and significant state-level tax incentives make it a strong choice for disaster recovery sites and applications serving the greater Appalachian region. This market allows businesses to protect critical infrastructure while managing capital and operational expenses effectively.
Charleston, West Virginia: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Reliable connectivity suitable for regional workloads; not a primary national hub. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Access is available via private network extension to major hubs like Ashburn, VA. |
| Power Cost | $0.07 – $0.09/kWh (est.) | The grid is predominantly coal-fired, providing stable and predictable industrial power pricing. |
| Disaster Risk | Moderate (30.93 NRI Score) | Low exposure to catastrophic events; primary risks are weather-related. |
| Tax Incentives | Yes – as of September 2025 | State offers specific sales, use, and property tax exemptions for qualifying data centers. |
| Sales Tax | 6.00% (State Base Rate) | West Virginia sales tax, as of September 2025. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Charleston provides a focused and reliable connectivity environment, well-suited for regional enterprise and disaster recovery workloads rather than latency-sensitive global applications.
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: The market features a select number of providers across its data centers, as of September 2025. The environment is sufficient for establishing redundant connectivity for most business requirements.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct cloud on-ramps within Charleston, as of September 2025. Businesses connect to major cloud providers by extending their networks to the primary interconnection hub in Ashburn, Virginia, using private network interconnects or dedicated wavelength services.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Public internet exchange points are not a feature of this market. Peering is typically handled privately between carriers or routed through major national hubs like Ashburn.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server deployments are readily available from national providers. Companies like Hivelocity and ColoCrossing can provision dedicated infrastructure to serve workloads in the region.
Power Analysis
West Virginia's power infrastructure is built on a foundation of traditional energy sources, offering cost advantages and stability.
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates are estimated between $0.07 and $0.09/kWh, as of September 2025. This competitive pricing can substantially lower the total cost of ownership for power-dense deployments. The state's energy mix is dominated by coal (approximately 86%), ensuring a consistent supply.
Power Grid Reliability: The power grid serving the Charleston area is well-engineered for industrial use. Data centers can expect stable power delivery, with options for redundancy from multiple substations to support uptime requirements.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Charleston offers a favorable business environment, combining strategic location with powerful financial incentives.
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Charleston are positioned to serve the state capital's government agencies, regional healthcare systems, and utility companies. This proximity is ideal for public sector and regulated industry workloads.
Regional Market Reach: The market provides effective, low-latency access to the population centers of West Virginia and adjacent areas of Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. It serves as an excellent hub for regional content delivery and application hosting.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: West Virginia provides significant financial incentives for data centers, including broad sales and property tax exemptions on equipment. These programs directly reduce the capital and operational expenses associated with building and running a facility.
Natural Disaster Risk
Charleston has a Moderate natural disaster risk profile with a National Risk Index score of 30.93, as of September 2025. The location avoids the primary threats like major earthquakes, coastal flooding, and tornadoes that affect other regions.
The main environmental risks are primarily weather-related and include:
- Riverine Flooding
- Strong Wind
- Winter Weather
- Landslides
- Hail
The region's inland location shields it from direct hurricane impacts, though remnants of larger storm systems can bring heavy rain and wind.
