Excavators have started moving earth at QTS Data Centers' Van Wert Mega Site in Ohio, where the company is developing a campus valued at USD 10 billion.

Four Buildings Anchor the First Phase

The initial phase consists of four buildings, each roughly 650,000 square feet, with vertical construction scheduled to begin in spring 2027.

QTS and the City of Van Wert announced the project in May 2026. The full build-out is planned to include up to seven data center buildings across about 902 acres, with the total investment expected to reach USD 10 billion. QTS estimates construction will take five to six years, although commissioning dates for individual buildings remain unconfirmed.

Van Wert Stands to Gain Jobs and a Community Fund

More than 1,500 construction jobs are anticipated, with local building trades unions involved in the work.

About 200 permanent QTS positions are also planned, and further employment may come from tenants and firms handling security, maintenance and other operational services. QTS projects USD 200 million in tax revenue over 20 years.

The company has also pledged to create a community betterment fund for Van Wert, supporting local initiatives including education, workforce development, public safety, and community amenities. For Van Wert, the development represents a notable opportunity.

The regional community has sought an end user for its large industrial site for nearly two decades.

The scale of construction could additionally drive demand for electrical contractors, mechanical services, building materials and equipment installation.

Power Supply and Water Concerns are Being Addressed

QTS is coordinating with American Electric Power (AEP) to secure electricity for the campus while fielding concerns about growing data center demand on the local grid. The developer states it will cover the cost of the project's energy infrastructure and that no additional costs will fall on existing AEP Ohio customers. The campus's specific power capacity has not been disclosed publicly, which QTS attributes to security and confidentiality considerations.

Water management has also drawn attention.

The planned cooling system is a closed-loop design that does not require continuous water consumption once operational, though the initial fill will need water and QTS says supply arrangements are still being assessed. The company argues the approach will place less pressure on local water resources than conventional systems that consume more during operation. Water use has become a contested issue for large data centers worldwide, in Australia, for example, Quantum DC's proposed Tungkillo data center and energy facility is facing backlash for several reasons, water among them.

On the visual side, QTS has outlined setbacks, landscaped buffers and screening to lessen the impact on neighboring properties.

Environmental assessments found limited impact on a stream on the property, which the company says will be handled in line with applicable regulations.

What Comes Next on the Site

Excavation is now underway, moving the project from planning into physical delivery of its first four buildings under a multi-year program. Upcoming milestones include the start of vertical construction and installation of power and cooling infrastructure, followed by fit-out of the facilities for data center operations.

The campus forms part of the broader expansion of hyperscale digital infrastructure across the United States, driven largely by demand for cloud computing, data storage and AI. For Van Wert, long-term outcomes are likely to hinge on delivery of the promised jobs, tax revenue and community benefits.