Global data center provider eyes Culpeper

Sandwiched between Germanna and CTEC, CloudHQ plans over two-million-square-feet of data centers.

BY Maria Basileo

Culpeper is speeding its way into becoming one of the country’s next technology hotspots with the recent plan from a global data center provider to build over two-millionsquare-feet of data centers in the McDevitt Technology Zone.

CloudHQ via SAAM Ventures LLC purchased the properties totaling 98.5 acres in September 2021. The parcels, previously known as PowerGrid or Crown Jewel, is in front of the Culpeper Career and Technical Center and Germanna Community College on McDevitt Drive. It is already zoned industrial so data centers are a by-right use.

CloudHQ intends to market the property to other businesses who may need data center needs. As the buildings become leased, construction would commence.

During a Culpeper County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 5, supervisors indicated it may take up to four years for construction to begin.

During construction, CloudHQ expects up to 1,000 skilled construction workers per building. Regular operations will require about up to 50 employees per building. Tenants will employ up to 100 high-paying technology experts per building.

In the past fi ve years, CloudHQ has built over two-million-squarefeet of data center space and operates seven-million-square-feet. They have land committed for up to 20 million more square feet.

Once complete, the campus will be able to deliver up to 275 MW of IT load power. Currently, Rappahannock Electric Coop can currently provide 30 MW of power. CloudHQ have applied to rebuild the current line servicing this area, doubling line capacity. maria@culpepertimes.com

SUBMITTED A bird’s eye view of the property shows the expansive nature of the project as well as its close proximity to Germanna Community College and Culpeper’s Career and Technical Center.

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