Rowan Digital Infrastructure has successfully closed a $975 million construction financing deal to build its first-phase hyperscale data center campus in Frederick County, Maryland. The funding will enable the company to continue its ambitious expansion plans, with work already underway on the first phase and additional phases in advanced stages of development.
The financing was spearheaded by MUFG Bank, Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), both serving as co-structuring agents. Other key participants included Mizuho, Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), and 13 additional lenders, all of whom helped to secure this crucial funding for Rowan’s ongoing projects.
Rowan’s Maryland Data Center Project: A Game-Changer for the Digital Economy
The project, located on the site of a former aluminum plant, is set to redefine the region’s data center infrastructure. Known as Bauxite I, the campus will initially offer 300MW of power, spread across four single-story buildings totaling 777,150 sq ft (72,200 sqm). This site is part of a larger data center park, spanning 2,100 acres, that will eventually accommodate multiple hyperscale campuses.
Charley Daitch, CEO of Rowan Digital Infrastructure, emphasized that the campus is designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced computing technologies. The campus is a vital infrastructure asset for powering the future digital economy.
The Role of Strong Financial Partnerships in Accelerating Growth
Kevin Mammel, Rowan’s CFO, highlighted the importance of robust financing partnerships to support the company’s accelerated development pace. With over 1.5GW of contracted grid capacity already secured and several projects in various stages of development across the United States, Rowan is positioned for significant growth.
The Maryland campus is just one of several projects within Rowan’s pipeline. Other campuses, Bauxite II and Bauxite III, are also in the works at the same park, offering a combined 1,414,533 sq ft (131,400 sqm) of additional data center space.
Sustainable Design and Energy-Efficient Data Centers
Rowan Digital Infrastructure is committed to delivering sustainable, energy-efficient data centers that serve the evolving needs of hyperscale customers. As data center demand continues to grow by more than 20% annually over the next decade, Rowan’s focus on cutting-edge, environmentally responsible design ensures that its campuses will meet the technological and sustainability expectations of industry leaders.
Each campus is equipped with state-of-the-art cooling systems and renewable energy solutions, contributing to Rowan’s goal of creating data centers that power the digital economy while minimizing environmental impact.
Expansion Plans: Future Developments Beyond Maryland
In addition to its Maryland campus, Rowan is making strides with several other key projects across the United States. The company is developing a 300MW campus in Temple, Texas, and a four-building campus in Oregon, both designed to address the surging demand for scalable data center solutions.
Key Takeaways
- $975 million secured for the first phase of Rowan’s Maryland hyperscale data center campus.
- Rowan Digital Infrastructure is focused on delivering energy-efficient, sustainable facilities to meet growing digital infrastructure needs.
- The campus is part of a larger 2,100-acre data center park in Frederick County, Maryland.
- The company’s broader pipeline includes multiple projects in various states, ensuring rapid expansion across the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Rowan Digital Infrastructure’s new project in Maryland?
Rowan is building a 300MW hyperscale data center campus in Frederick County, Maryland. The first phase is already under construction, and the entire project will consist of several large buildings across multiple phases.
2. Who provided the financing for the Maryland data center project?
The $975 million financing was led by MUFG Bank and SMBC, with additional participation from other financial institutions including Mizuho and Scotiabank.
3. What is the environmental impact of Rowan’s data centers?
Rowan is committed to sustainability with energy-efficient designs and renewable energy solutions for its data centers, aiming to minimize environmental impact while meeting the growing demand for digital infrastructure.
4. How many other campuses is Rowan developing?
In addition to the Maryland site, Rowan is developing multiple other campuses across the U.S., including projects in Temple, Texas, and Oregon, with additional campuses in the works in Maryland.
5. What technologies will Rowan’s data centers support?
Rowan’s campuses will support a variety of cloud, AI, and advanced computing applications, providing the infrastructure needed for next-generation technologies.