Is Chicago’s Data Center Supply Shortage Leaving Smaller Businesses Behind?
Element Critical tailors its available capacity for America’s SMBs – the backbone of our economy
From its iconic skyscrapers piercing the skyline to its bustling streets teeming with professionals, Chicago exudes abundance and energy. It’s hard to imagine that a city of this magnitude could lack anything. Yet, beneath the buzz, a pressing challenge has emerged – Chicago is running out of data space.
In a city known for innovation and a booming workforce, the need for data center capacity has skyrocketed to extraordinary levels. Toward the end of last year, a significant shift began as the demand for data storage and processing power crept closer to surpassing what is available. This isn’t just a temporary hiccup; it’s a clear sign of how crucial data has become in our society.
Competition for the limited capacity is heating up as cloud providers, financial firms, healthcare providers, and others rush to secure their digital needs. Because of this, the writing is on the wall for operations planning to expand data capabilities: the time to make a move is right now.
The Data Center Struggle
While some data centers are preleasing space, the reality is that it will take years, if not decades, to build enough facilities to meet the increasing need for data storage. Record-low vacancy rates highlight this supply-side challenge. In key North American Tier 1 markets, average vacancy rates have plummeted from 10% in 2018 to less than 3% today. Building a data center is far from a quick endeavor. It involves navigating various regulatory and environmental hurdles, each of which can significantly delay progress. Additionally, securing a high-voltage power allocation, crucial for data center operations, can take up to five years in certain markets. This extended process worsens the existing shortage, delaying the introduction of new capacity even more. In a landscape where data centers seem to be increasingly prioritizing giant customers (i.e., wholesale deals), Element Critical stands out by catering to SMBs (through our retail data center services), demonstrating a dedication to serving businesses of all sizes. For more information on the difference between wholesale and retail data center services, read our blog here.
Chicago One and Chicago Two Data Centers
Element Critical’s Chicago One and Chicago Two data centers are prime examples of facilities that have managed to thrive despite these challenges, offering immediate availability and tailored services to meet the needs of both retail and wholesale customers. Here are the key benefits:
- Zero Downtime: Both Chicago One and Chicago Two boast a remarkable track record of zero downtime over 30 years, ensuring reliability and continuous operations.
- Disaster Recovery Solutions: Designed with disaster recovery in mind, these centers provide ultra-low latency connectivity to Chicago’s extensive fiber networks, guaranteeing uninterrupted operations for critical applications.
- Business Services: The facilities offer a range of essential services, including carrier-neutral meet-me rooms, renovated conference rooms, and ample office space.
- Flexible Leasing Options: Element Critical is ready to serve both retail and wholesale markets, providing the same level of service and tailored solutions to small operations that other data center providers reserve for larger clients.
- Immediate Availability: With 1.8 MW available immediately in its Chicago Two data center, businesses can secure the capacity they need right now. Element Critical is ready to accommodate any power requirement, no matter how small, ensuring that the specific footprint and power needs of small to medium-sized businesses—the backbone of America— are met with precision.
Tailored Data Center Solutions
Chicago, with its vibrant economy and strategic location, remains a critical hub for data center growth. However, the path to meeting the growing demand for data storage is not without its challenges. Businesses should plan ahead and secure their data center needs well in advance to stay competitive in this tight market. Element Critical’s Chicago One and Chicago Two data centers provide a reliable solution, offering immediate availability and tailored services to help businesses navigate the complexities of data center capacity. Whether you’re a small enterprise or a large organization, Element Critical is committed to meeting your specific requirements and supporting your growth in this data-driven world.
Secure Your Data Center Space Today!
For a limited time, you can take advantage of Element Critical’s exclusive migration promotion options. Choose our migration promo and get three months free with a 39-month contract or six months free with a 66-month commitment. Or explore our NRC Promo and enjoy 50% off NRCs with a 36-month contract or 100% off NRCs with a 60-month commitment.
Choose the offer that suits your business needs best and secure your spot now because in a city of plenty, running out of data space is one thing you can’t afford.
