Brightlio Blog

The Raleigh data center market offers numerous advantages for organizations looking for colocation services. Referred by some as “Southern Silicon Valley”, the Raleigh-Durham region of North Carolina has long been a hub of innovation. Home to the famed Research Triangle Park, companies including Cisco, IBM, Red Hat, Citrix, Salesforce, and others have offices in the area.

In addition to the robust technology landscape, a Raleigh data center offers other advantages. These include a strategic geographic location, developed connectivity infrastructure, and competitive pricing for colocation services. Join us, as we explore the advantages of colocation in Raleigh.

Raleigh is An Affordable Market for Colocation

Raleigh is an affordable location for data center services. The city offers attractive commercial electricity rates. The average cost per kilowatt hour is 8.5 cents. This is 15.76% less than the national average. Since energy costs are one of the biggest colocation pricing drivers, lower rates directly lead to more affordable data center services.

According to CBRE, asking rates in the Raleigh data center market ranged between $115 and $130 per kW for 250-500 kW opportunities in the second half of 2022. This compares favorably with the national average of $137.90 per kW. It also makes the region more affordable than other secondary markets like Austin ($130-$145), Houston ($120-$160), Denver ($125-$140), and Minneapolis ($115-$170).

Raleigh-Durham also offers tax advantages for data center operators. According to the Tax Foundation’s 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index, North Carolina is among the top 10 states for its overall tax environment. North Carolina’s forward-thinking approach extends to data centers by offering three sales and tax exemptions. Data centers investing a minimum of $75 million in real and personal property over five years stand to gain a 100% property tax exemption for up to two decades. Also, they can potentially receive a tax credit of up to 25% of their investment. 

Raleigh Enjoys a Favorable Geographic Position

Raleigh, North Carolina, stands out as a top choice for primary data centers due to its low susceptibility to natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. Its historical stability against severe weather events and geological disturbances offers businesses a secure and dependable location for data storage and management, minimizing potential data loss and operational interruptions.

Raleigh serves as a strategic disaster recovery site for East Coast cities, such as Miami, New Orleans, and New York, which have faced the brunt of devastating hurricanes. Its relative safety from major weather disruptions ensures continuous data availability and uninterrupted business operations, even when primary sites in more vulnerable locations are affected. Raleigh also serves as a data center hub to service major markets in the Southeast, like Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, and Washington, DC.

Raleigh is Home to Research Triangle Park

Research Triangle Park, or RTP, is a globally recognized economic and technology hub that spans Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. RTP is the largest research park in North America, home to over 250 businesses, both startups and Fortune 100 companies. This concentration of industries attracts a skilled workforce and fosters innovation, creating the perfect setting for data centers to flourish. 

The presence of top-tier universities such as North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill contributes to Raleigh’s economy by nurturing a talent pool rich in IT and engineering expertise. 

Furthermore, the park generates a substantial array of quality employment opportunities in the region. As a result, data centers in Raleigh can access a skilled talent pool adept in technology and data management, fostering a rich environment for expertise and growth. RTP also offers a collaborative environment for companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs to connect and work together. This cultivates knowledge exchange, partnerships, and innovation, providing data centers with opportunities to lead in technological progress and access resources for growth.

Leading Raleigh Data Center Options

Brightlio has a national network of colocation partners, including leading providers in Raliegh-Durham. Below are a few of the leading providers. Contact Brightlio for pricing on these and other options.

LightEdge

Located at 8020 Arco Corporate Drive, LightEdge offers flexible data colocation services tailored to your growth demands. With dedicated 24/7 support, advanced facilities, and hybrid hosting solutions, LightEdge provides businesses with a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to on-premises operations.

Why we like LightEdge:

• Their 100% uptime guarantee, backed by Tier 3 compliant infrastructure, ensures uninterrupted operations.

• Comprehensive, multi-tiered measures safeguard critical data, including biometrics and 24/7 surveillance.

• A private fiber backbone seamlessly links all LightEdge data centers for efficient data transfer.

• Regular audits validate adherence to HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSAE 18, and other industry standards.

• Operates nationally with 10 data centers, extending its presence beyond Raleigh to Austin, San Diego, and Phoenix.

TierPoint

Located at 5301 Departure Drive, TierPoint operates a prominent data center facility in Raleigh that spans over 65,000 total square feet, including an impressive 40,000 square feet of raised floor space. This state-of-the-art colocation center offers a range of options, from cabinets to cages, along with specialized Business Continuity Seating workspaces.

Why we like TierPoint’s Raleigh Data Center:

• Exceptional reliability with a 2N power distribution design and five redundant 2,000kW generators.

• Advanced security measures include two-factor authentication, biometric access, and 24/7 security.

• Nationwide network presence across TierPoint’s expansive network of over 40 data centers.

• Industry compliance with certifications like SOC 1 Type II, SOC 2 Type II, and ISO 27001 ensures secure data handling.

• They offer colocation services to key markets, including Connecticut, New York, and Kansas City.

CyrusOne

CyrusOne Raleigh-Durham Data Center, situated at 2223 Northeast Creek Parkway, encompasses a sprawling 420,000 square feet. Its strategic location near Raleigh-Durham International Airport, just 10 miles away, and its easy access to major highways and rail networks facilitates seamless connectivity and accessibility.

Why we like CyrusOne’s Data Center:

• CyrusOne specializes in highly reliable enterprise-class, carrier-neutral data center properties.

• Their Raleigh-Durham I Data Center guarantees 100% uptime, reflecting their focus on resilience and performance.

• They specialize in hybrid computing and cloud connectivity.

• They boast a Zone X flood zone rating and a Zone 1-2 seismic zone rating, enhancing stability and protection against natural disasters.

• Equipped with advanced security measures, including a VESDA system and dual-action interlocking sprinklers.

• They have many facilities, including in Virginia, Texas, New York, California, and Iowa.

Brightlio Delivers Solutions for Data Centers in Raleigh

For enterprises eyeing Raleigh, NC for colocation needs, Brightlio is your trusted guide. As a telecommunications and colocation broker, we offer competitive colocation pricing in Raleigh tailored to your needs and budget.

In addition to colocation, we offer cloud solutions, network connectivity, expert advisory services, and unified communications. This allows us to deliver a complete solution for your organization’s technology needs. We are committed to being your most trusted and responsive technology solutions provider.

Get started with Brightlio today!