DC BLOX, an Atlanta-based provider of data centers, network and cloud services at the edge, recently announced the opening of their newest data center in Huntsville, Alabama. This newest addition supports their mission of meeting the needs of an ever-expanding industry with burgeoning content, data and application demands. DC BLOX provides the essentials of space and high-density power while remaining close to consumers in growing cities.
The Huntsville location is advantageously positioned in the “Silicon Valley of the South,” making DC BLOX able to fully utilize the area’s growing distinction to successfully meet the needs of an expanded number and array of clients. According to a Bloomberg analysis, Huntsville has the third most technical workforce in the United States with nearly 17 percent of the workforce in a science, technology, engineering or math job, making it an ideal location for DC BLOX to continue their Southeast expansion. The Huntsville location is also a compelling disaster recovery location for enterprises in Nashville, Birmingham and for the company’s other sites in Atlanta and Chattanooga.
This strategic new facility, featuring hot aisle contained cabinets, pods or suites, along with customer amenities like secure receiving and storage, conference rooms, staging areas and hoteling space, will deliver 46,000 square feet of data hall space and up to 15MW of critical IT power. Using lean construction techniques and a precast concrete data center design, DC BLOX deployed the data center in just 22 weeks.
Tommy Battle, Huntsville Mayor, states, “The DC BLOX data center is another great addition to our technology rich community. Huntsville, and the region, has a growing need to safely and securely manage big data through faster, cleaner transmissions. We’re delighted to have DC BLOX provide this much-needed service to meet the demands of our rapidly growing area.”
Governor Kay Ivey also adds, “The significant investment being made by DC BLOX to open this data center in Huntsville will not only create high-paying jobs, but also bring another industry to the booming technology sector in north Alabama. We’re committed to positioning Alabama for a technology-focused future and look forward to working with the company to accelerate that process.”
Madison County Commission Chairman Dale W. Strong also expressed excitement, stating, “We are pleased to welcome DC BLOX to Madison County, Alabama. To our growing region, DC BLOX brings reliable high-performance data center facilities and networks utilizing advanced technology and productivity. With the ever changing and growing demand for secure, cloud-based services in our high-tech region, I’m excited at the future of DC BLOX in partnering with our community to deliver innovative solutions.”
Designed and constructed to service executive branch agencies, defense contractors and any organization that handles, possesses, shares and receives Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), DC BLOX’s newest facility has the ability to up-scope to higher levels of information classification. The Huntsville data center joins DC BLOX’s Atlanta, and Chattanooga sites on the company’s high-speed, high-capacity private optical network.
Jeff Uphues, Chief Executive Officer of DC BLOX, notes, “The Huntsville facility will target enterprise, hyperscale cloud, Software-as-a-Service, government, network and content providers.”
DC BLOX had their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Battle, Chairman Strong and other community and elected officials on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at their facility location at 333 Diamond Drive NW in Huntsville. The event included welcome remarks from DC BLOX CEO Jeff Uphues as well as tours of the new facility, and a networking cocktail reception.
In addition to Huntsville, DC BLOX has started development of its flagship property in Birmingham, Alabama. Capable of scaling to over 200,000 square feet of data center space and 80MW of critical IT load, phase I will be delivered in 2019. The groundbreaking of this site will take place in October.
