Phoenix Powers Up: Data Center Giant Expands Arizona Footprint

Vantage Data Centers facility in the Arizona desert

Phoenix, Arizona, December 31, 2025

Vantage Data Centers, a leading provider of hyperscale data centers, has acquired 70 acres in Phoenix for $58.5 million. This significant expansion reflects Arizona’s growing reputation as a technology hub and its attractive business environment. With over $1.5 billion invested in the region, this project is expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs, further boosting the local economy and emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in resource management.

Phoenix Powers Up: Data Center Giant Expands Arizona Footprint

Arizona’s reputation as a burgeoning technology hub continues to attract significant investment, with a major Colorado data center company recently acquiring substantial acreage in the Phoenix area. This expansion underscores the region’s appeal for digital infrastructure and highlights the ongoing economic growth driven by private sector innovation and a favorable business environment.

The acquisition represents a confident vote in Phoenix’s future as a critical nexus for digital operations, further solidifying its position in the Nationwide data center market. Such investments are vital for the local economy, contributing to job creation and bolstering the technological ecosystem that supports a wide range of industries.

Vantage Data Centers’ Strategic Investment

Denver-based Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, recently purchased 70 acres of land in Arizona for $58.5 million. This acquisition is a strategic move to significantly expand its presence in the region. Vantage Data Centers has been actively investing in the Phoenix area for several years, with previous developments in Goodyear where it acquired 50 acres of land in 2019 to build a campus that would offer 160 megawatts of critical load and more than 1 million square feet when fully developed.

The company has already invested over $1.5 billion into its Goodyear project, which is designed to provide 176 megawatts of IT capacity across three facilities totaling more than 1 million square feet. This substantial capital infusion is projected to create approximately 3,000 construction and technology jobs.

Arizona’s Appeal to the Digital Economy

Arizona has emerged as a prime location for data center development, driven by a combination of factors that appeal to hyperscale and cloud providers, as well as technology and e-commerce companies. The State of Arizona benefits from a stable climate with a low risk of natural disasters, making it an attractive location for secure data operations. Additionally, the region offers competitive operating costs, rich connectivity, and a business-friendly environment, including State-level tax incentives for qualifying data centers.

The Arizona Computer Data Center Program, established by the State of Arizona Legislature in 2013, provides Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) and Use Tax exemptions on qualifying equipment purchases at the state, county, and local levels. These incentives are designed to foster economic development and technological advancement within the state.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The growth of the data center industry in Arizona has had a significant positive impact on the State’s economy. In 2023 alone, data centers supported over 81,000 jobs across the State of Arizona. Furthermore, these facilities contributed more than $25 billion to the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over $863 million in state and local taxes in 2023. These tax revenues help fund vital community priorities such as education, transportation, and public safety.

The industry’s economic ripple effect is substantial. For every job directly within a data center, an estimated 6 to 6.5 additional jobs are created elsewhere in the State of Arizona economy, not including construction jobs. From 2017 to 2021, the total employment impact in Arizona from data centers increased by 19%, supporting 72,210 jobs in 2021. This growth demonstrates how private investment can catalyze broader economic prosperity and high-skilled, high-wage job opportunities across the state.

Balancing Growth with Resource Management

While the economic benefits of data center expansion are clear, their increasing demand for resources, particularly water and power, presents a challenge that requires careful planning and innovative solutions. Data centers, especially those powering artificial intelligence models, utilize significant volumes of water for cooling their servers, often through evaporative cooling systems.

Concerns have been raised regarding how the State of Arizona will meet the rising demand for power and water, especially given that many new data centers are located in drought-stressed areas. For example, a study using the Phoenix area as a case study indicated that water used by data centers for cooling could see a substantial increase in the next six years. In response to these concerns, some municipalities in Arizona, such as Chandler and Marana, have implemented measures like water use caps or prohibitions on potable water for these facilities. The State of Arizona Corporation Commission is also considering policies, including tariffs and rate structures specifically for data centers, to protect residential and small business power customers.

Industry leaders and developers are increasingly prioritizing sustainable solutions. Vantage Data Centers, for instance, has designed its Goodyear campus to minimize water consumption by employing a closed-loop chilled water system with air-side economizers. This approach, along with the adoption of other water-efficient cooling technologies like air cooling and recycled water integration, showcases the entrepreneurial spirit in finding solutions that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

Phoenix’s Future as a Digital Powerhouse

Phoenix’s trajectory as a leading digital infrastructure hub is undeniable, with strategic investments like Vantage Data Centers’ expansion playing a crucial role. The ongoing dialogue between industry, local communities, and policymakers regarding resource management highlights a balanced approach to economic development. By fostering an environment that encourages private investment, embraces innovative solutions for sustainability, and reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens, Phoenix can continue to attract high-tech enterprises and create lasting prosperity for its residents.

We encourage our readers to stay informed and engaged in the evolving landscape of Phoenix’s economy, supporting local businesses and the policies that champion smart growth and entrepreneurial success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What company recently expanded its data center footprint in Arizona?
Denver-based Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, recently purchased 70 acres of land in Arizona for $58.5 million to expand its presence.
What is the investment amount by Vantage Data Centers in its Goodyear, Arizona project?
Vantage Data Centers has invested over $1.5 billion into its Goodyear project.
How many jobs are expected to be created by Vantage Data Centers’ Goodyear project?
The Goodyear project by Vantage Data Centers is expected to create approximately 3,000 construction and technology jobs.
What makes Arizona attractive for data center development?
Arizona is attractive for data center development due to its stable climate with a low risk of natural disasters, competitive operating costs, rich connectivity, a business-friendly environment, and State-level tax incentives.
What is the economic impact of data centers in Arizona?
In 2023, data centers supported over 81,000 jobs across the State of Arizona and contributed more than $25 billion to the State’s GDP, as well as over $863 million in state and local taxes.
What are the environmental concerns related to data centers in Arizona?
The primary environmental concerns are the significant demand for water for cooling and power consumption, especially in drought-prone regions of the State of Arizona.
How are data centers addressing water consumption concerns in Arizona?
Companies like Vantage Data Centers are implementing sustainable solutions such as closed-loop chilled water systems with air-side economizers to minimize water consumption. Other strategies include air cooling and recycled water integration.

Key Features of Vantage Data Centers’ Arizona Expansion

Feature Detail Scope
Company Vantage Data Centers (Denver-based) Nationwide
New Land Acquisition 70 acres for $58.5 million State-level (Arizona)
Total Investment in Goodyear Project Over $1.5 billion State-level (Arizona)
Jobs Created (Goodyear Project) Approximately 3,000 (construction and technology) State-level (Arizona)
Total Data Center Jobs (2023) Over 81,000 State-level (Arizona)
Contribution to Arizona GDP (2023) Over $25 billion State-level (Arizona)
Tax Contributions (State and Local, 2023) Over $863 million State-level (Arizona)
Cooling Technology Closed-loop chilled water system with air-side economizers (Goodyear campus) State-level (Arizona)
Arizona Data Center Incentives Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) and Use Tax exemptions State-level (Arizona)

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STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER

The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.

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