Construction has commenced on phase 1 of a planned US$10 billion data center campus by QTS Data Centers in Van Wert, Ohio, marking a major step forward for one of the region’s largest proposed digital infrastructure investments.
Ground was recently broken on Phase 1 of the project at the Van Wert Mega Site, with excavation work underway. The initial phase of the US$10 billion data center campus by QTS Data Centers in Van Wert, Ohio will comprise four buildings, each measuring approximately 650,000 square feet. Actual building construction is expected to begin in spring 2027.
The project was announced in May 2026 by QTS and the City of Van Wert. It is planned to comprise up to seven data center buildings across approximately 902 acres, with the investment expected to reach US$10 billion as the campus is built out.
QTS data center project to deliver major economic benefits to Van Wert
The project is expected to create more than 1,500 construction jobs, working alongside local building trades unions. It will also provide about 200 permanent QTS positions. Additional employment could also arise from tenants and companies providing security, maintenance and other operational services.
According to QTS, the development could generate US$200 million in tax revenue over 20 years. The company has also committed to establishing a community betterment fund for Van Wert. The fund will support local initiatives such as education, workforce development, public safety and community amenities.
The US$10 billion data center campus by QTS Data Centers also represents a significant opportunity for Van Wert. Van Wert can be described as a regional community that has sought an end user for its large industrial site for nearly two decades. The construction of a large-scale data center could also stimulate demand for electrical contractors, mechanical services, building materials and equipment installation among others.
Power infrastructure and cooling systems
QTS is working with American Electric Power (AEP) to secure reliable electricity for the development. This is while addressing concerns about the effect of rising data center demand on the local power network.
The developer says it will pay for the project’s energy infrastructure and that the development will not impose additional costs on existing AEP Ohio customers. However, QTS has not yet publicly disclosed the campus’s specific power capacity, citing security and confidentiality considerations.
Water management is another important component of the development. The campus is planned to use a closed-loop cooling system. An advantage of this system is that it does not require continuous water consumption for cooling once operational. The initial system fill will still require water, with QTS indicating that arrangements for supplying it are being assessed.
The company’s cooling approach is also intended to reduce pressure on local water resources. This is when compared with conventional cooling systems that consume relatively more water during operation. Water use has become a key issue in debates over large data centers across the globe, for instance, in Australia, Quantum DC’s proposed Tungkillo data center and energy facility is facing backlash for a number of reasons – among them, water.
QTS has also outlined plans for setbacks, landscaped buffers and screening to reduce the visual impact on neighboring properties. Environmental assessments identified a limited impact on a stream on the property. QTS says the issue will be addressed in accordance with applicable regulations.
$10 Billion QTS Ohio data center campus construction outlook
With excavation underway, the project is moving from planning towards the construction of its first four buildings. The data center campus is also being developed under a multi-year construction program. QTS estimates a five-to-six-year construction phase.
The next major milestones include the start of vertical building construction and installation of power and cooling infrastructure. This will be followed by subsequent fit-out of the facilities for data center operations. Additionally, the exact commissioning dates for individual buildings have not yet been confirmed.
The project also adds to the expansion of hyperscale digital infrastructure in the United States. This expansion is mainly driven by demand for cloud computing, data storage and AI.
For Van Wert, its long-term impact might just heavily depend on the delivery of promised jobs, tax revenue and community benefits.
QTS Ohio Data Center Campus Project Fact Sheet
Project location: Van Wert, Van Wert County
Total project cost: Up to US$10 billion
Site area: 902 acres
Planned development: Up to seven data center buildings
Initial phase: Four buildings, each 650,000 square feet
Construction status: Ground broken on Phase 1. Excavation is now underway
Expected start of building construction: Spring 2027
Estimated construction employment: More than 1,500 jobs
Expected permanent QTS positions: 200
Projected tax revenue: US$200 million over 20 years
Electricity infrastructure partner: American Electric Power (AEP)
Cooling system: Closed-loop cooling
Development duration: Five to six years for the building phase
Who is involved in this project?
- QTS Data Centers
- City of Van Wert
- Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation
- American Electric Power (AEP) – Electricity and power infrastructure coordination.
- Danfoss – Supplier of cooling technology components.
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