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Data Center View - April 29, 2025 - Microsoft pauses $1 billion investment in Ohio

Data Center View - April 29, 2025 - Microsoft pauses $1 billion investment in Ohio

ACS files for five-building campus. DOE announces plan for data centers on federal land. CyrusOne breaks ground on 70MW data center. Iron Mountain brings in new executive. Power-ready land is a hot commodity. Two new data center deals.

Matt H
April 29, 2025

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NEWS ROUNDUP

DEVELOPMENT: Microsoft pauses $1 billion investment in Ohio. Microsoft has canceled its planned $1 billion investment in three data center campuses in New Albany, Heath, and Hebron, Ohio. While the company will retain ownership of the land, it cited a global pullback in infrastructure spending and shifting demand forecasts as reasons for the decision. Microsoft will still fulfill its commitments to fund roadway and utility upgrades and will continue working with local organizations on digital skills training and restoration efforts. TD Cowen analysts noted the move may signal concerns over potential data center oversupply.

DEVELOPMENT: ACS files for five-building data center campus in Texas. Spanish infrastructure firm ACS is planning a five-building data center campus on a 107-acre site in north Fort Worth, with Phase I expected by the end of 2031 and Phase II by 2034. The development will include a substation from Oncor Electric and use a water loop system to reduce water consumption. ACS, known in the U.S. through Turner Construction, is seeking a 10-year incentive package from the city, including up to 70% in property tax abatements in exchange for a minimum $481.6 million investment and 37 full-time jobs. The site currently has no confirmed tenant. The plan is part of ACS’s broader $3.4 billion global data center strategy, with a 5GW development pipeline.

DEVELOPMENT: DOE announces plans for data centers on federal land. The U.S. Department of Energy has identified 16 potential federal sites for data center development, aiming to streamline infrastructure expansion and support AI growth. The initiative, building on executive orders from both Presidents Trump and Biden, includes provisions for expedited permitting and potential use of nuclear energy. The DOE also issued a request for information on using its land for AI infrastructure. Sites span from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington to the Savannah River Site in Georgia.

DEVELOPMENT: CyrusOne breaks ground on 70MW data center. CyrusOne has broken ground on DFW7, a new multi-building data center campus in Fort Worth, TX, with an initial planned IT capacity of 70MW. The $200 million project will span 1.9 million SF and is expected to be completed by Q1 2026. The groundbreaking ceremony included U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Oncor COO Jim Greer, and Clune CEO David Hall and VP Tyler Stenveson. CyrusOne CEO Eric Schwartz highlighted DFW’s position as the second-largest data center market in the U.S. and noted CyrusOne’s total capital investment in Texas now exceeds $2.4 billion.

PEOPLE MOVES: Iron Mountain brings in new executive. Iron Mountain has appointed Gary Aitkenhead as Executive VP and General Manager of its global Data Centers business. Reporting to EVP Mark Kidd, Aitkenhead will oversee commercial and operational strategy and joins the company’s Executive Team. CEO William Meaney praised Aitkenhead’s experience and leadership in data center operations. Aitkenhead, formerly with Equinix, the UK Ministry of Defence, and Motorola Solutions, called the role a pivotal opportunity as Iron Mountain scales to meet rising demand.

READ: Power-ready land is a hot commodity.