KANSAS CITY, Mo. — QTS has leased a 756,000 square foot (70,234 sqm) building in Kansas City for the development of a new data center. The Blackstone-owned company has secured Building B1 at the New Century Commerce Center (NCCC), located at 16175 John Glenn Parkway in Johnson County, approximately 25 miles southwest of Kansas City in New Century, Kansas.

While the specific details of the data center’s design and operation have not been disclosed, the building itself was completed in 2023 and constructed by Van Trust Real Estate LLC. The NCCC is being developed as a regional industrial park, strategically located next to the New Century Airfield, which offers additional logistical advantages.

“This progress highlights the strong demand for industrial space at New Century Commerce Center,” said Justin Duff, vice president of development at Van Trust Real Estate. “With the addition of QTS and continued strong lease activity, NCCC remains a prime location for businesses seeking new space in the south Johnson County market.”

QTS, which was originally founded in Kansas, will now expand its data center footprint with this new location. The company maintains its original data center at its Overland Park headquarters, operational since 2003, with 200kW of power capacity. However, QTS does not currently operate any other data centers within Kansas but has facilities across the U.S. and globally.

The company was acquired by Blackstone for $10 billion in 2021 and has become a leading player in the data center market. Although it was previously reported in 2023 that QTS was planning to lease space at the Diode Ventures data center park in Kansas City, the deal fell through due to concerns regarding power supply availability.

Despite this setback, QTS’ new lease at NCCC signals the company’s continued commitment to expanding its infrastructure and improving its data center services in the region. The new facility is expected to meet growing demand for secure, high-performance data storage and processing solutions across various industries.

The Importance of Data Center Expansion

The leasing of Building B1 at the New Century Commerce Center is part of a broader trend of increasing demand for industrial space in the Kansas City area, especially for data centers that are vital to the technology and telecommunications sectors. Data centers have become essential infrastructure as businesses and governments continue to digitize their operations and rely more heavily on cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

The Kansas City metro area’s strategic location and competitive energy costs have made it a desirable location for data centers, and the availability of space at NCCC further strengthens the region’s position as a growing tech hub. With a commitment to expanding its footprint in Kansas, QTS is poised to take advantage of the growing need for digital infrastructure in the region.

Future of Data Centers in Kansas and Beyond

With its latest data center project, QTS is contributing to the growing trend of building state-of-the-art facilities that support the increasing demand for cloud services, enterprise computing, and large-scale data storage. This shift is also in line with broader market demands for more reliable, secure, and energy-efficient data center solutions.

As companies continue to expand their digital operations, the need for facilities like QTS’ new Kansas City data center will only increase. The project at NCCC highlights the importance of strategic location selection, availability of power, and a strong industrial development community. For QTS, the new center in Kansas City marks a significant step in reinforcing its position as a leading global provider of data storage and services.

Significance of NCCC for the Region

The NCCC development has become a pivotal site for attracting businesses in the industrial and technology sectors. The growth of industrial spaces like those being leased by QTS signals continued economic expansion in the Kansas City metro area, particularly for sectors reliant on data processing, storage, and distribution.

With the addition of QTS to its list of tenants, the New Century Commerce Center further solidifies its role as a hub for innovation and tech-driven development. As more businesses look to build infrastructure that supports the growing demand for digital services, the NCCC is well-positioned to continue attracting companies like QTS that are at the forefront of technological advancements.

The Future of Data Centers in Kansas City and the Broader Market

Kansas City’s role as a key tech hub will only continue to grow as more companies, including QTS, expand their data center infrastructure. By focusing on building robust, high-performance facilities in strategic locations, data center providers are meeting the surging demand for digital storage and processing power, positioning the area for future growth and innovation in the tech sector.

As QTS grows its presence in Kansas, the company is likely to continue influencing the local economy, driving job creation, and supporting the growth of Kansas City's role as a regional tech powerhouse.

The Economic Impact of QTS' Investment in Kansas City

With QTS’ investment in the New Century Commerce Center, the Kansas City area is set to benefit from both the immediate economic boost of the construction and leasing processes, as well as the long-term growth resulting from increased data center activity. The construction of such high-tech infrastructure will attract additional investment and help foster innovation and technology-driven job creation in the region.

Originally reported by Matthew Gooding in Data Center Dynamics.