Knoxville IT and data center services provider SH Data Technologies is set to break ground on what it says will be the state of Tennessee’s first high-density edge data center.

The company plans to offer classic data center services including data storage, security and virtualization, disaster recovery, integration and managed cloud services.

Knox Knox, who’s there

The Fort (artist's impression)
The Fort (artist’s impression) – SH Data Technologies

The facility, known as The Fort, will be built in a former US military headquarters which will be restored for the purpose, and will contain offices as well as a data center.

While the definition of edge computing is disputed amongst data center professionals, the fundamental element that defines it is that it distributes IT resources close to its users. In this case, the site at 901 East Summit Hill Avenue, is set in the heart of Knoxville, close to the Tennessee River.

In its first phase of completion, the site will offer 8,000 sq ft (743 sq m) of technical space 33,000 sq ft (3,066 sq m) of office space. Future phases will include four separate data facilities.

SH Data Technologies CEO Butch Smith said: “This facility will be the cornerstone of a broader strategy to provide technology solutions with unlimited scale.”

“We are extremely grateful to Mayors Madeline Rogero and Tim Burchett and Bank of Tennessee,” he continued.

“This is a great example of public leaders and private entrepreneurship creating a competitive advantage for Knoxville.”

SH Data Technologies purchased the property in 2014 and worked with the Knoxville Chamber and East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA) to help finish the project and attract business.

“Besides being a huge economic development win, in and of itself, The Fort will be an asset to add to the list of our region’s technology infrastructure,” Doug Lawyer, a member of the ETEDA Advisory Committee and vice president of economic development for the Knoxville Chamber, said.

“I’m confident the data center will help get us on the radar of new business location opportunities from companies considering relocations or expansions.”