In a significant move toward expanding its cloud computing infrastructure, Amazon is set to establish two data centers in the Mesa area of Phoenix, Arizona. This strategic development comes as part of Amazon’s ongoing efforts to bolster its cloud services arm, Amazon Web Services (AWS). The company has recently filed pre-submittal documents with Mesa’s planning office, unveiling plans for two separate data centers, both situated within Maricopa County.
These proposed data centers state-of-the-art facilities, reflective of Amazon’s unwavering commitment to advancing cloud technology. The decision to expand in Mesa underscores the region’s growing importance as a hub for data center operations.
One of the data center sites is situated on a sprawling 42.9-acre plot off Elliot Road, conveniently located adjacent to Apple’s own data center in Mesa. The other site is situated on a substantial 71.3-acre area at 10464 E. Pecos Road, just east of the Legacy Park sports complex. Both locations were acquired by Amazon in December 2021, with the Elliot Road property purchase amounting to $16.9 million and the Pecos property acquisition costing slightly over $18 million.
The Pecos Road site, in particular, bears an interesting history. Prior to its selection as a data center location, it was considered for a massive 700,000 square feet logistics facility designed to serve as a last-mile delivery hub for Amazon. However, the company chose to adapt the two proposed one million square foot buildings at E202 at Elliot and the 202 into a single two million square foot building to house its logistics facility, negating the need for a new facility on Pecos. With Amazon already having purchased the property, Amazon decided to repurpose the site to become another data center.
Amazon’s move to establish these new data centers in Mesa aligns with the broader trends in the technology industry. With the proliferation of cloud services and the exponential growth of data-driven applications, the demand for robust and scalable data center facilities is higher than ever. By strategically positioning these data centers in Mesa, Amazon aims to enhance its cloud service capabilities while also contributing to the economic development of the region.
