DATA CENTERS

Could hyperscalers help resolve the No. 1 issue in data center site selection with an out-of-the-box solution?

INVESTMENT PROFILE: PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS

How a Texas community’s vision is giving new meaning to quality of life.

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A presidential debate and a Copa America match were taking place at the same time in downtown Atlanta last month, but the scorecard from the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference will be what matters most to employers nationwide.

In an archival photo, the Portland Streetcar navigates the Pearl District.

Photo courtesy of Portland Development Commission

In a report on transit-oriented development in the September 2024 issue of Site Selection, Senior Editor Gary Daughters will examine the latest plans in Portland, Oregon, to extend Portland Streetcar service and thereby catalyze the sort of economic development that resurrected the Pearl District after the Streetcar’s debut in 2001. His report will feature a profile of Hilo’s, a homegrown sporting apparel company. Site Selection contributor Ann Moline wrote about the Portland Streetcar’s positive impact in 2011.

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Looking for the perfect spot for your business? Palmdale is the third largest city in LA County and growing. With over 13 million square feet of industrial space in development, the City offers close proximity to major distribution facilities such as Amazon, Trader Joe’s, Rite Aid, Michael’s and Sygma. Palmdale is centrally located within 90 miles of LAX and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with quick access to all major freeways.

Among the things to know about Palmdale:

• Population: 169,450
• Median Age: 34.62
• Regional Workforce: 280,000+
• Commuting Workforce: 62,000

Visit the City of Palmdale’s Economic Development home page to find out more reasons why we’re “a place to call home.”

Speakers at yesterday’s press conference releasing UN Trade and Development’s “The Digital Economy Report 2024” included UN Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan; UN Trade and Development Director of the Division on Technology and Logistics Shamika N. Sirimanne; and UN Trade and Development Head of the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Branch Torbjörn Fredriksson.

Photo by William Albors courtesy of UN Trade and Development

Yesterday UN Trade and Development (formerly known as UNCTAD) released its latest edition of The Digital Economy Report 2024, highlighting that “while digitalization drives global economic growth and offers unique opportunities for developing countries, its environmental repercussions are becoming increasingly severe. Developing countries remain disproportionately affected both economically and ecologically due to existing digital and development divides but they have the potential to leverage this digital shift to foster development.” Among the report’s cited statistics:

• “Demand for critical minerals like graphite, lithium, and cobalt could surge by 500% by 2050.”
• “Data centers consumed 460 TWh of electricity in 2022, with consumption expected to double by 2026.” (See Data Centers article above.)
• “Digital-related waste increased by 30% between 2010 and 2022, reaching 10.5 million tons globally … Only 24% of digital waste was formally collected globally in 2022, with a mere 7.5% collection rate in developing countries.”

Marta Russell, Site Selection’s regional director of sales for the Southeast and Canada, earlier this month made this photo of Moraine Lake, located near Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola in Banff National Park, Alberta. Known as Canada's most beautiful lake, it once graced Canada's $20 bank note. “Founded in 1890 as Laggan Station, Lake Louise was once a wild outpost at the end of the Canadian Pacific Railway,” Parks Canada says. “Lake Louise and Moraine Lake usually melt by late May. Alpine hiking season begins in late June.” Watch for Site Selection’s annual Canada’s Best Locations report in the September 2024 issue.