The rapid escalation of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing requirements has forced regional data center operators to rethink their growth strategies in order to remain competitive within a crowded market. This necessity is the driving force behind a new strategic partnership between 365 Data Centers and Aphorio Carter, the dedicated digital infrastructure arm of Carter Funds. Together, these entities are embarking on a mission to develop a 200MW portfolio of high-density facilities across the United States. Initial efforts are already moving forward with letters of intent for key sites in Aurora, Colorado, and Simpsonville, Kentucky. The timeline for these projects is notably aggressive, with the goal of bringing new capacity online within a nine-to-24-month window starting from 2026 through 2028. By targeting markets like Trumbull, Connecticut, and Columbus, Ohio, the partners are positioning themselves to capture demand where established hyperscale hubs are becoming saturated.
Strategic Site Acquisition: From Retail to Industrial Conversions
Building on this foundation, the partnership leverages a unique blend of operational expertise and deep real estate market knowledge to secure prime locations. Carter Funds contributes a diverse background in medical, industrial, and logistics real estate, which provides a significant advantage when identifying underutilized properties suitable for conversion into high-density data hubs. This approach is exemplified by the recent acquisition of enterprise data centers in Simpsonville and Louisville, facilities previously managed by the power company Eaton. While these sites currently support modest capacities of roughly 1MW each, they serve as the anchor points for a much larger scaling effort that will eventually reach the 200MW target. This expansion is happening under the leadership of Derek Gillespie, who stepped into the CEO role following the retirement of Bob DeSantis. The transition marks a pivotal shift for 365 Data Centers, moving from a steady management phase into a high-growth trajectory that prioritizes speed and regional density.
Future-Proofing Infrastructure: Operational Efficiency and Market Resilience
To navigate this expansion successfully, the partnership prioritized modular growth and energy efficiency to ensure long-term viability in secondary markets. The shift toward high-density infrastructure required a focus on cooling innovations and power management systems that accommodated the heat loads of modern hardware. Organizations looking to follow this model analyzed the benefits of utilizing non-binding letters of intent, which allowed for rapid site securing while maintaining flexibility in shifting economic climates. Strategic site selection in areas like Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Louisville, Kentucky, demonstrated the value of looking beyond primary tier-one markets to find untapped power availability. Ultimately, the integration of specialized real estate investment with data center operations created a template for scaling digital infrastructure without the overhead of massive greenfield developments. Future considerations included the integration of renewable energy sources and the optimization of network latency to serve local enterprise clients efficiently as the national portfolio matured.