Vantage CC, QTS host data center community event

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A steady stream of people visited Vantage Career Center for 90 minutes on Thursday for more information on the planned $10 billion QTS data center, which will be built at the Mega Site on the east side of Van Wert.

Representatives from QTS manned different information tables in the school’s commons area, where those in attendance could ask questions and learn more about several areas, including pre-development, development, philanthropy, operations, utilities, sustainability, community engagement, and economic development. Those representatives tried to address various concerns of local residents.

“We’ve had a really good turnout with a lot of supporters in the community, a lot of folks that are asking really good questions and getting to know a little bit more about the project and about QTS,” QTS spokesperson Stephanie Blakely said during the event.

“I’m very pleased with the people who have showed up and have asked lots of questions and are feeling good about the answers they’re getting,” Van Wert Area Economic Development Director Brent Stevens said. “Maybe it will dispel some of the rumors that are going around.”

One of the main concerns has been water consumption. While some data centers use millions of gallons of water annually, QTS’s Van Wert data center will use a closed loop system, which they say will require an initial fill of approximately 660,000 gallons of water purchased from the city.

“This loop continually circulates the same water, functioning similarly to a car radiator,” QTS said in a handout that was made available during Thursday’s event.

Another concern has been energy use, but QTS previously said the company will fund 100 percent of energy infrastructure improvements in partnership with American Electric Power at no cost to its customers.

It’s been estimated that approximately 1,500 construction workers will build the data center, which will consist of up to seven buildings on more than 900 acres.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for later this year. The first building on the Van Wert campus becoming operational in the first quarter of 2029. The full campus is expected to be developed in phases, with full buildout and operations projected around 2032.