Boston-registered Gotspace has presented its initial plans to the town council in Wallingford for a 32MW facility.
It has said it also wants to build data centres in Groton, Norwich, Griswold and Bozrah. The firm hasn't built its first data centre yet.
Two locations are being considered for the Wallingford facility. The first is a 57 acre parcel of land behind the Hilton Garden Inn near Interstate 91 and Route 68, for a 672,000 sq ft development containing a 157,000 sq ft data centre.
The other site is on 205 acres located at North Farms Road on Route 15, for a 314,000 sq ft development and same-sized 157,000 sq ft facility.
Attorney Len Fasano, a former state senator whose legislative district covered Wallingford, is representing Gotspace on the project. “Economically, it's a pretty good deal for Wallingford,” he said.
If built, the data centre would employ 85 people over three shifts. The value of the project has so far not been disclosed.
The state's Department of Economic and Community Development (DEDC) plans to open an Office of Data Infrastructure, Administration and Security.
While municipalities will continue to deal with local planning issues on new data centres, the DEDC will have the job of rubber-stamping projects.
Fasano told the meeting: “Wallingford is a great town, it's a wonderful community. It's got a great tax base and it also has its own electric company with a significantly reduced electrical bill - relative to those that don't.”
Gotspace partner Thomas Quinn said the firm was planning a two-storey building in the town and that it had signed project labour agreements stipulating the use of union workers.
Further council meetings will take place before moving to a decision on the Wallingford project.
