FedEx Eyes Nashville for Major Data Center

FedEx (FDX) has bought 77 acres of land near Nashville International Airport, and local sources say the land will be used for a major data center. FedEx, which paid $16.5 million to purchase the site from Duke Realty Corp., says it is "premature" to discuss its plans. But sources in the Nashville business and real estate community are saying that FedEx plans a backup data center that could be as large as 500,000 square feet.

"Though not a big job generator, the FedEx deal would mean a substantial capital investment that possibly reaches into the hundreds of millions of dollars," reports the Nashville City Paper, which added that "one source said FedEx has already started to price equipment locally and the center would have 30-40 (diesel backup) generators."

The Tennessean first reported the land deal, which involved one of the last remaining large industrial sites in Davidson County. The paper cited "reports in local real estate circles that the Memphis-based company had been looking for property in the Nashville area for a data center."

Last year FedEx announced that it is building a data center in Colorado Springs. The 113,000 square foot building is scheduled to open this year, and reportedly cost $25 million to build.

The Bank of New York and Peak 10 are among the other companies with data centers in the Nashville market.