Charleston Welcomes Planned Data Center

Executives with Greenville-based Immedion were in North Charleston on Tuesday, celebrating the companies $6 million data center planned for the Palmetto Commerce Park.

The data company currently has one center in the Upstate and one in downtown Columbia. Like the other sites, the new facility will offer IT space, server power and other data services.

"This facility will provide an ideal location for companies who want to keep these assets close by, but are in a high risk area, or have outgrown their internal capacity," said Immedion CEO Frank Mobley.

By "high risk," he is referencing the threat of natural disasters that the Lowcountry faces and the type of security that this modern facility can offer.

"I expect no one is more aware of the importance of a viable disaster plan than businesses in this area," Mobley said.

Immedion is one of several recent announcements for the Palmetto Commerce Park. The county is building its new Consolidated 911 Dispatch Center, Roper St. Francis will be building its own data center, and, last week, aerospace company TIGHitCo announced a major investment in the park as a supplier to the new Boeing Dreamliner plant.

"It shows what it takes to make economic development viable," said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. "You have to put that infrastructure in. You have to be prepared."

Charleston Regional Development Alliance Chairman R.M. Singletary said the Immedion's services could draw other IT jobs as companies look at locating in Charleston.

"Almost any company, and especially high-tech companies, need a reliable data service," he said.