CyrusOne Breaks Ground on $350 Million Data Center in Aurora, Illinois

In October 2024, CyrusOne, a leading global data center operator, broke ground on a major new data center campus in Aurora, Illinois. The $350 million investment will significantly enhance the region’s technological infrastructure and solidify Aurora’s role in the growing digital economy. The development is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for the area, including job creation, increased property and utility tax revenues, and a strengthened position within the data center industry.

The CyrusOne data center in Aurora will be built across two state-of-the-art facilities, totaling 446,000 square feet. The initial phase of the project will provide an IT capacity of 40 megawatts, which can scale up as demand for data storage and processing continues to grow. The project is strategically designed to be adaptable, with room for future expansion to meet evolving technological needs in the coming years.

The data center will house critical infrastructure for clients in need of secure, reliable, and scalable data services. In particular, one of the two buildings is set to support a major collaboration between CyrusOne, the CME Group, and Google. This partnership will focus on providing financial trading systems for CME’s clients, further demonstrating the strategic importance of the new facility. The involvement of such high-profile partners underscores Aurora's growing relevance in the global technology and financial sectors.

The construction of the CyrusOne data center is expected to bring a significant economic boost to the city of Aurora and the surrounding region. During the development phase, the project will create hundreds of jobs in the construction industry, ranging from laborers to engineers and project managers. These jobs will have a direct impact on the local economy, with workers spending money in the community and boosting demand for local services and businesses.

Once the facility is fully operational, it is expected to generate over 20 permanent, full-time positions. These roles will span a variety of fields, including IT management, security, facility maintenance, and operations. The employment opportunities created by the data center will provide high-quality jobs for residents of Aurora and nearby areas, contributing to the long-term growth of the region.

In addition to job creation, the data center is projected to bring substantial tax revenue to the city. The facility is expected to generate approximately $1.1 million in annual property taxes and another $1 million in utility taxes. Over the next decade, this facility could contribute around $20 million in tax revenue to Aurora, helping to fund public services such as education, infrastructure, and emergency services. This influx of revenue will not only benefit the city’s budget but will also provide much-needed resources for local schools and government programs, directly improving the quality of life for residents.

The construction of the CyrusOne data center highlights Aurora’s increasing importance as a hub for technological infrastructure. Situated in the western suburbs of Chicago, Aurora has long been a key player in industrial manufacturing, but this new development signals a shift toward a more diversified economic base. The city’s growing reputation in the data center industry positions it as a desirable location for technology companies and digital infrastructure projects.

Illinois, and specifically the Aurora region, has become a key destination for data centers, with companies like CyrusOne seeing the area as an ideal location due to its robust infrastructure, proximity to major transportation routes, and favorable business climate. The state offers a strong power grid, advanced telecommunication networks, and a steady supply of skilled workers, all essential components for a successful data center operation.

CyrusOne’s investment in Aurora also underscores the region's increasing appeal to tech giants looking for secure and scalable locations for their digital operations. The facility will help meet the growing demand for cloud computing, data storage, and high-performance computing, which have become critical needs for businesses across industries like finance, healthcare, and technology. As the digital economy continues to expand, Aurora is poised to become a major player in the data and technology sectors.

As with many modern infrastructure projects, sustainability plays a crucial role in the design and operation of the CyrusOne data center. The company is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its facilities, and this new Aurora center will incorporate energy-efficient systems, water conservation technologies, and environmentally responsible waste management practices.

Data centers are known to consume significant amounts of electricity, but CyrusOne is prioritizing renewable energy sources and energy-efficient designs to reduce the facility’s carbon footprint. Additionally, the company plans to utilize advanced cooling systems that help lower the overall energy demand while ensuring that the data center operates efficiently and reliably.

By incorporating these sustainable practices, CyrusOne not only meets its environmental goals but also provides an example of how data centers can operate in a way that balances business needs with ecological responsibility. This focus on sustainability ensures that the Aurora facility will be able to meet the increasing demands of the digital world while minimizing its environmental impact.

The $350 million investment by CyrusOne underscores the growing importance of data infrastructure in the U.S. and globally. As the demand for data storage and processing continues to increase, data centers have become a cornerstone of modern economic growth. The new facility in Aurora will play a crucial role in supporting industries that rely on data-intensive applications, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and financial services.

Aurora’s location, with its easy access to major transportation routes and proximity to Chicago, makes it an ideal site for large-scale data centers. The city’s growing infrastructure, combined with favorable business conditions and a skilled workforce, makes it a competitive choice for companies like CyrusOne seeking to expand their operations.

As the CyrusOne data center project progresses, it will not only provide immediate economic benefits but also establish Aurora as a key player in the digital infrastructure sector for years to come. This development is just one example of how the city is positioning itself as a hub for technological growth, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and supporting businesses that depend on secure and reliable data services.

In the coming years, the growing demand for data-driven solutions will only further solidify the importance of Aurora’s infrastructure and technological investments. The $350 million CyrusOne data center is a vital step in that direction, benefiting the local economy and preparing the city for a more digitally connected future.

The construction of the CyrusOne data center in Aurora represents a significant investment in the future of both the city and the technology sector. With job creation, increased tax revenues, and environmental sustainability at the forefront of the project, the data center is poised to have a lasting positive impact on the region. As Aurora continues to expand its technological capabilities, this development will play an essential role in shaping the city’s economic future while contributing to the broader growth of the digital economy.