Involta, LLC Announces Plan to Build Enterprise Data Center in Akron, Ohio

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Involta, LLC announces plans to build and operate a 46,000 square foot hardened enterprise data center in Akron, Ohio.  Design of the facility is currently underway and Involta anticipates the facility will be fully operational by fourth quarter of 2011.

The high-security colocation data center will house mission critical computer systems and related components for businesses, government and educational institutions. The $20 million facility will be a stable, predictable, high-performance data center complete with environmental systems and controls, redundant back-up power, specialized fire suppression, and reinforced concrete building construction.  The 46,000 square foot facility will feature 20,000 square feet of conditioned data center space for housing organizations' most important IT assets.

The Involta Data Center will provide many advantages for both local and national businesses including "the ability to share the high costs of housing and managing mission critical systems and the option of off-site data storage for disaster preparedness planning," said Bruce Lehrman, CEO, Involta.  "It is often not cost effective for businesses to build and support their own data center", said Lehrman. "By colocating, businesses can have the advantages of a data center while actually cutting costs.  Use of this data center will allow business leaders to focus on their core businesses rather than complex infrastructure and facilities issues."

"The data center will mean more network connectivity and more technology infrastructure in Akron," said Involta Chairman, Lonnie Bloomquist.  "The Involta Data Center will further enhance the Greater Akron landscape as a more attractive location for technology and telecommunication based companies.  Colocation data centers attract other technology based companies in need of critical infrastructure support and protection as well as network connectivity."

"Without the assistance of Summit County, the City of Akron and the Greater Akron Chamber, this project would never have made it past the idea stage," said Mr. Lehrman.  "This project is yet another great example of a private/public partnership that was able to bring reinvestment that will revitalize our community," added Rick Rebadow, Executive Vice President of the Greater Akron Chamber.  

"Almost ten years ago, the lumber yard here closed and opportunity left this place. But today opportunity is returning," said Governor Ted Strickland.  "Involta's decision to build their state of the art data center here means dozens of new, good paying technology jobs for the south side of Akron. The kind of jobs that pay a mortgage, support a family and give people the chance to build a foundation for their lives."

"There is no doubt Ohio has a great, skilled workforce, a strong technology infrastructure and the lowest business taxes in the Midwest. That's all part of the Ohio advantage," Governor Strickland added.  "We congratulate the leaders of Involta for recognizing that advantage and deciding to bring this wonderful facility here."

The Involta data center will be designed to receive LEED® Certification for efficient use of energy, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other green, environmentally sustainable strategies. "The new Involta facility will be world-class, efficient, green and positioned to deliver highly secure and reliable IT infrastructure to businesses throughout the region," said Tad Davies, EVP of Bick Group of St. Louis, who are providing design-build services for the project.

About Involta

Involta provides full service data center facilities and the expertise to manage and protect mission critical computer systems and associated data.  

With highly secure physical data center facilities and expertise in data protection and disaster recovery, Involta is a single source partner to ensure critical information is protected and constantly available.

Founded in 2007, Involta was ranked #40 on the 2010 Inc 500 list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States and is a recognized and preeminent provider of data center facilities and technology services in the Central United States.  

SOURCE Involta, LLC