South Carolina gives grant for data center infrastructure provider

(The Center Square) — South Carolina’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded York County a $200,000 Set-Aside grant to help offset site preparation costs related to a company’s project to establish a technology hub.

QTS Data Centers, which has its corporate headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas, plans to spend $1 billion on a technology hub campus near Hands Mill Highway and Campbell Road in unincorporated York County. It marks the first South Carolina facility for the company, which provides colocation data center infrastructure and related services and has locations in Suwanee, Georgia, and Sterling, Virginia.

“Digital infrastructure is critical as our reliance on technology increases,” Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III said in an announcement.

Officials said the company’s campus will use carbon-free power “when feasible.” The company also plans to use “water-saving technology,” which officials said eliminates the need to use water to cool its customers’ environments.

“Our investment in York County is consistent with QTS’ strategy of securing access to infrastructure at scale in strategic markets to support accelerating demand from our hyperscale, enterprise, and government customer base,” QTS Chief Executive Officer Chad Williams said in an announcement.

In a statement, York County Council Chairwoman Christi Cox said the project would “significantly boost public school funding and broaden our tax base.”