Sustainable data center near downtown KCMO to help power capacity with $143M investment

Kansas City is building on its reputation as a hub for partners looking to tap into a region rich with infrastructure built for the future, said Steven Anthony, announcing the grand opening of another major, sustainable data center in KCMO.

Edged — a vertically integrated global platform of on-demand data centers with operations designed to be carbon and water neutral — earlier this month marked the opening of its new state-of-the-art, ultra-efficient facility at 3420 North Arlington Avenue near downtown Kansas City.

“Our strength in the technology sector, specifically data centers, has been building over the last several years,” said Anthony, vice president of business development for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC). “We’re continuing to pursue additional data center and other tech market opportunities in KCMO, which will only help strengthen our national appeal in this sector.”

Designed for sustainability and performance with waterless cooling systems built to support advanced computing technology and cloud services, the Edged facility delivers 26 megawatts of critical capacity to the region.

The City of Kansas City, Missouri, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Kansas City Area Development Council, Missouri Partnership, the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the State of Missouri, worked to bring Edged to Kansas City.

Local, state, and regional partners, along with company officials at a Edged Kansas City ribbon cutting; photo courtesy of EDCKC

The data center joins a growing network of Edged facilities currently under construction or operational across the U.S., including in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Columbus and Phoenix.

A ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday celebrated the transformation of the vacant site into a thriving digital hub: Edged Kansas City.

“Kansas City is proud to be home to forward-thinking companies driving both environmental stewardship and economic development,” said Quinton Lucas, mayor of Kansas City. “It’s why we are excited Edged is opening a brand-new sustainable data center in Kansas City, a powerful example of how sustainability and technology can work together.”

“Edged is strengthening Kansas City’s position as a leader in the next generation of digital infrastructure, while creating jobs and driving economic growth,” he continued.

Edged Kansas City data center; photo courtesy of EDCKC

Kansas City has quickly become an established data center hub thanks to the region’s central location, access to low-cost reliable power and exceptional fiber connectivity, with high-speed connections from coast to coast.

Gov. Mike Parson, R- Missouri, called the Edged news the latest example of a leading, high-tech employer choosing Missouri.

“All across our state, innovative companies are recognizing that we have what it takes to ensure their success – including a strategic location, strong infrastructure, and a skilled workforce,” Parson said.

Unlike traditional data centers that consume massive amounts of water for cooling and strain the local energy grid, Edged Kansas City uses zero water and 74 percent less energy overhead than conventional facilities, according to EDCKC. Each Edged data center is outfitted with the ThermalWorks waterless cooling system which uses no water and is expected to save nearly 95 million gallons of water each year compared to conventional data centers.

“The Kansas City project represents an important step in the region’s continued commitment to sustainable leadership and economic growth,” said Bryant Farland, CEO for Edged. “Edged Kansas City represents a $143 million initial economic investment, bringing positive impact to the city and region at large. We are honored to support Kansas City’s thriving digital economy with innovative and sustainable solutions.”

Edged is a subsidiary of Endeavour with nearly a dozen new data centers operating or under construction across Europe and North America and a gigawatt-scale project pipeline.