This Week in Data Center News 8.18.25

What if the next wave of data center growth isn't just about bigger buildings, but about smarter, greener, and more efficient operations? That's exactly what's happening today. As businesses globally pour billions into new facilities, they're not just expanding their digital footprint—they're spearheading a revolution in how we power and manage critical IT infrastructure. This transformation, catalyzed by new legislation and disruptive technologies, is a direct response to the global demand for both enhanced performance and reduced environmental impact. 

In this week's report, we examine key updates from Tract in North Carolina, Cogent across North America, Thor Equities in Ohio, Equinix globally, and Data Centric in Pennsylvania.

Tract withdraws plans to develop 400 acre, 1.5 million sq. ft. data center near Mooresville, North Carolina

Tract has withdrawn its proposal to build a 1.5 million sq ft data center at the 400-acre Mooresville Technology Park site in North Carolina, previously owned by NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. The decision follows significant local opposition, with residents and Earnhardt's family raising concerns about the project's suitability, including its potential environmental and community impact. The project, dubbed "The Concrete Monster" by opponents, faced widespread protests, including a dedicated campaign website and public objections from Earnhardt's son, Kerry. Tract, known for developing large-scale data center parks across the U.S., has not disclosed specific reasons for the withdrawal.

Cogent has added multiple edge data centers to its portfolio by converting Sprint sites acquired from T-Mobile

Cogent Communications reported second-quarter 2025 revenue of $246.2 million, showing a slight decline of 0.3% from the prior quarter and a 5.5% drop year-over-year. However, wavelength revenue grew significantly, rising by 27.2% sequentially and 149.8% year-over-year, reaching $9.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 6.9% to $73.5 million, reflecting a margin improvement to 29.8%. The company also approved its 52nd consecutive quarterly dividend increase to $1.015 per share and expanded its stock buyback program by $100 million, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, Cogent continues leveraging its Sprint acquisition to expand optical wavelength services across North America, now available in 938 data centers.

Thor Equities announces land acquisition in Van Wer County, Ohio with plans to develop a 500MW data center

Thor Equities has acquired 221 acres of land in Van Wert, Ohio, from the Marsh Foundation to develop a new data center. The site, located along U.S. 30, is described as a valuable asset for the data center industry due to its prime location, existing utilities, and infrastructure. While Thor Equities will oversee the property’s development, the operating company for the data center has yet to be disclosed, with further details potentially being announced by 2026. This project highlights the continued expansion of the data center market and interest in leveraging strategic locations like Van Wert.

Equinix signs deal with nuclear developers to provide up to 740MW of nuclear power to data centers

Equinix, a major data center operator, has announced agreements to diversify its power sources, addressing growing energy demands driven by AI and data-heavy operations. The company is collaborating with nuclear energy firms like Oklo, Radiant Industries, ULC-Energy, and Stellaria to integrate advanced reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs), into its operations over the coming decades. While these technologies will take years to deploy, they are seen as a sustainable, long-term energy solution.

Additionally, Equinix is adopting solid-oxide fuel cell systems via Bloom Energy to provide more than 100 MW of onsite power across 19 U.S. data centers. These fuel cells, powered by hydrogen derived from natural gas, contribute to reducing reliance on diesel generators and offer a greener alternative for backup and operational power. According to Equinix’s EVP of Global Operations, Raouf Abdel, these efforts align with the company’s commitment to supporting scalable, sustainable energy infrastructure that benefits its customers and communities worldwide.

Data Centric pulls out of 35 acre data center development in Union County, Pennsylvania

Plans to establish a data center in the Great Stream Commons business park in Union County, Pennsylvania, have been canceled. Data Centric, the proposed developer, decided not to purchase the 37-acre site and withdrew from the agreement, resulting in a refund of their $100,000 deposit. The site required electrical system upgrades at the developer's expense, which may have influenced the decision to discontinue the project. The business park, developed by Union County over decades, has seen sporadic activity, but officials remain optimistic about future interest, citing the site's rail access and development potential.

Tools & Solutions for Data Center Developers

Discover how we address critical challenges like power availability and project siting, and explore our range of available solutions. Book a demo with our dedicated team.LandGate provides tailored solutions for data center developers. 

You can also visit our library of data center resources.