Over the past 15 years, Loudoun County has developed the largest concentration of data centers in the world. In fact, the second largest location in the United States, Silicon Valley, has half the amount of data center space that is available in Northern Virginia.
The fiscal impact of the data centers on our local economy cannot be overstated, with close to a half-billion dollars of annual county tax revenue coming from this industry. It’s also a good business deal for the county, as data centers return more than $15 dollars in tax revenue for every dollar of services the county renders, making this, by far, the best return on investment on county services.
What might go overlooked is the community impact of the data center businesses and workers. This is a more complete look at the impact of Data Center Alley.
These are the latest news headlines from the hometown of the Internet:
The businesses and the employees of Loudoun’s data center ecosystem have had a major impact on our community in much more personal ways than might meet the eye.
The members of our data center community have long been focused on education and maintain a long-standing relationship with educational partners in the county, including Loudoun County Public Schools and Northern Virginia Community College. Recognizing the need to build the workforce of future data center operators, they have engaged directly with NVCC’s Sterling Campus to teach certifications that dramatically cut the time and the cost needed to be trained for a high-paying data center job.
Since 2012, 7×24 Exchange DC has provided more than $200,000 in college scholarships for students pursuing a career in relevant data center fields. The data center community has also provided LCPS high school students with insider access for job shadowing and internships. At the elementary school level, 7×24’s support of the Backpack Coalition has delivered hundreds of meals, thousands of dollars, and countless volunteer hours in support of food insecure students outside of the schools.
7×24 recently packaged more than 16,000 pounds of food from local families through a partnership with Loudon hunger relief, and delivered nearly 1,000 meals to COVID-19 first responders at an over Loudoun, while supporting local restaurants.
The members of the data center coalition have committed essential resources throughout our community, from support to educational and community health organizations to volunteer efforts with such organizations as Women Giving Back, the Special Olympics, Scouts, Wounded Warriors, and sports organizations such as Little League Baseball and Loudoun Soccer.
So, when you think of data centers, think beyond the building. Think instead of the committed and fascinating people who work there, and the incredible impact that they have on our community.
All week long, member organizations of the Data Center Coalition are providing lunch from local restaurants to the volunteers and workers at the Dulles Town Center vaccination center.
— Loudoun Biz (@LoudounBiz) March 22, 2021
?? Thanks to @CloudHQ_LLC for sponsoring lunch from @FordsFish today! #IntlDataCenterDay pic.twitter.com/N9I410D1Uy
Environmentalists are noticing. Green Peace gave Apple, Facebook and Google an “A” on their clean company scoreboard and Salesforce, Microsoft and Equinix have been given high grades in categories such as energy transparency, renewable energy commitment, energy efficiency and advocacy. Analysts have reported that there has been a 70% decline in pollution over the U.S., northern China and Western Europe as compared to the same time frame in 2019. However, for the data center industry, which accounts for about 3% of global power consumption, sustainability has become even more important.
Here are a few of the ways that the data center industry is working toward their sustainability goals:
As work has evolved, as education has become virtual, and as shopping has gone from bricks to clicks, it now seems that if you’re participating in society—professionally, educationally, and culturally—then an email address is almost as important as our physical address.
According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 53% of Americans say the Internet has been essential during the COVID-19 outbreak. The same study shows that most Americans view the impact of the Internet positively, and almost 90% say it has been essential or important during the pandemic.
In support of broadband for all, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is committed to accelerating the timeline for universal broadband in rural Loudoun. Earlier in 2021, the Board dedicated nearly $200,000 for a telecommunications contract search to connect all government buildings in Western Loudoun. That project will give Loudoun a framework of existing fiber, which can be tapped into for residential. hard-wired broadband.
To have an economic recovery that is real, and full and sustainable, we must find a way to ensure that everyone can participate. Never has the internet and our digital infrastructure been more important to our existence, and that is anchored right here, in Data Center Alley. The time is now, to ensure that everyone has a chance to be part of this recovery, and in many ways, that will start online.
At the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, we’re here to help build your business. Dedicated to recruiting new business, growing our existing industries and improving our county’s business climate, we’re ready and waiting to provide a wide range of services for your company, whether you’re a start-up or well-established player.
© 2024 Loudoun County Economic Development, VA.