TENANTS are being sought for a multi-million dollar data centre to be built in Armidale following a year-long campaign by operators Australian Data Centres.
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Commercial director Megan James said the city had solidified as its choice for building the nation’s second regional data centre, with the search on for businesses to use the centre.
“Large telcos, educational institutions and large and small businesses in the district will be able to store their IT data at the centre,” Ms James said.
It will probably be built near the University of New England.
Australian Data Centres has built such a centre in Canberra and wants to build another in regional NSW.
It will house a large group of networked computer servers to be used by business for storing and processing data.
UNE’s executive director operations (acting), Robert Irving confirmed a meeting with centre officials on Thursday and said it supported the initiative.
“Both parties are positively discussing opportunities for a way forward,” Mr Irving said.
Up to 40 jobs would be created when building and setting up the data centre, including architects, designers, electricians and builders.
Ms James said her company would hire workers from the region wherever possible. Continuing job opportunities include security and facilities management.
Armidale was chosen as the centre’s regional site for a data centre because it was connected to the NBN and there were already a number of smart, high-tech companies that would benefit from such a centre.