By Tag Greason and David Robey, Co-CEOs of QTS
As demand for data centers accelerates, communities are asking an important question: who really benefits from this growth?
At QTS, we believe the answer should always be the communities where we build and operate. For more than 20 years, we’ve worked to set a higher standard for digital infrastructure – one grounded in responsibility, transparency and measurable local benefit.
That belief is reflected in our Commitment to Communities – five guarantees that guide how we build, operate and partner in the places we call home.
We pay for the energy costs of our data centers so they do not increase local utility bills
Reliable, affordable energy is essential to strong communities. We fund 100% of the energy costs for our data centers and partner with utilities to help build and modernize American infrastructure without raising power costs for the community. By planning years in advance, supporting grid readiness, and prioritizing carbon-free, renewable energy through long-term utility partnerships, we help ensure reliability and resilience for the broader region. We and Blackstone plan to build more power generation capacity than QTS data centers use.
We build data centers that consume no water
As industry leaders in water preservation, we are proud to save billions of gallons of water annually. Every data center QTS has built since 2018 uses a closed-loop cooling system that does not consume water for cooling. We are committed to continual improvement through research, innovation and sustainable design – especially in water constrained regions.
We create good jobs in communities in which we operate
QTS data centers generate significant local value through an expansive ecosystem of jobs, including employees of QTS and our tenants, as well as local construction workers, contractors and suppliers. We will create more than 40,000 jobs this year in the U.S. with $150,000 average annual pay. We prioritize hiring veterans and people from the community, and local community businesses are meaningfully supported by our presence.
We support local community projects that matter to you
Data centers are long-term developments that help communities invest in growth, enrich neighborhoods and improve lives over many years. QTS data centers generate tax revenues and help fund local programs. We support community priorities with resources for new parks, hospitals, schools, roads and first responders.
We lead with openness and transparency
We build facilities that communities across our country can rely on for decades. In the places we call home, we seek to engage, listen and collaborate with local leaders and community stakeholders to ensure our developments bring long-term benefits to communities. We hold town halls and maintain open and consistent dialogue with the community.
As demand for digital infrastructure grows, QTS remains focused on being a good neighbor and building lasting partnerships in every community we serve. Our commitment is clear: put communities first, build responsibly, invest locally and earn trust every day.
As digital infrastructure becomes more essential, we will continue working alongside communities to build a future that works for everyone.
