Is this the future of America?

The article discusses the history and current state of data center development in Loudoun County, Virginia, often referred to as "Data Center Alley." Here are key points from the text:

1. Early Development:

   • In 1996, AOL moved its headquarters to Ashburn, Loudoun County.
   • MAE-East (a major internet exchange point) also relocated there in the late '90s.
   • MCI WorldCom established a large office and later became headquartered in the area.

2. Infrastructure Growth:

   • These companies laid fiber optic cables across the county, attracting other tech firms due to low latency and proximity to Washington D.C.
   • Loudoun County earned nicknames like "Silicon Valley of the East" and "Dulles Technology Corridor."

3. Data Center Zoning Decision:

   • In 2000, data centers were designated as "office parks," allowing them to be built by right on any land zoned for office space.
   • This decision had lasting consequences but initially made little noise.

4. Economic Shift and Data Center Boom:

   • The dot-com bubble burst led to significant changes in the tech landscape,

Read the full article at The Verge

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