Iowa Data Center Market

Iowa's data centers are concentrated in Des Moines. However, there are a few in Cedar Rapids and Google has two data centers in Council Bluff just outside of Omaha.

Megacontent Data Centers in Iowa

Many of the largest internet companies in the world have chosen to build large data centers in Iowa. Facebook (Altoona), Google (Council Bluffs), Apple (Waukee), Microsoft (West Des Moines). Iowa has provided these megacontent companies with millions in tax incentives for the projects. In return, all three have had to guarantee certain job counts that pay $18 to $25 an hour.

Google in Council Bluffs Iowa

Total investment: $2.5 billion
 Employees: 300
 State-provided incentives: About $37 million
 List of other Google data center locations

Facebook in Altoona Iowa

Total investment: $300 million for first phase; $1 billion expected
 Employees: 150
 State-provided incentives: $18 million

Apple in Waukee Iowa

Apple's data center is under construction
 List of other Apple data center locations

Microsoft has 3 projects in West Des Moines

Total investment: Over $2 billion between two data centers
 Employees: About 150 expected
 State-provided incentives: $41 million

Data centers are also attracted to Iowa because it has available land, relatively cheap and environmentally friendly energy sources, access to high-speed fiber optics and is a low natural disaster risk area.

Electric Utilities

Iowa has one of the lowest costs for power in the US. Electrical rates in Iowa are typically 15 to 20 percent less than the national average.

Green Energy

Iowa's reliance on coal to generate electricity dropped from 76% in 2008 to 45% in 2017. Investment has gone into wind generation. Since 2004 MidAmerican has invested over $12 billion in wind generation. MidAmerican Energy has 27 wind farms across Iowa and generates over 4,400 Megawatts as of 2018. It has paid off, as of 2017 Iowa generated 37% of its electricity from wind.