For Immediate Release
December 12, 2011
City of Dublin Will Launch IT- Focused Entrepreneurial Center (TechDEC)
(DUBLIN, Ohio) - Dublin City Council passed a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease agreement to establish a technology-focused Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (TechDEC) at 565 Metro Place South.
According to City of Dublin Deputy City Manager/Economic Development Director Dana McDaniel the total cost of the lease for 1000 square feet of training space immediately adjacent to a new data center at that location is $25,000.
“We have learned through our experience at the DEC (7003 Post Rd) that start-up technology companies and more specifically IT start-up companies desire to have immediate access to a data center and the ability to house servers, store data and access interconnect points,” said McDaniel. “We determined this by request of our own companies as well as those expressing interest in locating to the DEC.”
McDaniel said the City explored the possibility of establishing a data center within or next to the existing DEC, but quickly found that to be cost prohibitive. Metro Data Center LLC, led by Chairman and CEO Niles Overly, is taking over an existing high level data center currently at this facility and offered Dublin the opportunity to establish an entrepreneurial center there.
“Combining an entrepreneurial center and data center will be a unique first in Central Ohio and will respond to the needs of start-up and established businesses alike,” add McDaniel. “This combination will further promote the development of information technology companies through additional training, networking and coaching opportunities while having access to a state-of-the-art data center right next door.”
The Metro Data Center LLC has also agreed to make an adjacent 30,000 square feet available for IT-oriented companies and service organizations/associations to locate.
“We are excited to host the new TechDEC,” said Overly. “Gen Y works differently today – they thrive on collaboration. We are creating a ‘community’ that will bring IT entrepreneurs together. We like to think of us as a solution provider.”
The approved resolution also extends the City’s fiber optic system, Dublink, into Metro Data Center LLC. McDaniel said extending the City’s fiber optic system will continue to enhance the value and diversity of the system.
“The Dublink system is currently in three other data centers throughout Central Ohio – a unique capability not mirrored by other municipally owned systems,” noted McDaniel. The cost to extend the Dublink into the new data center will not exceed $41,800 (funding available from the 2011 CIP for optical fiber system expansion.)
“Extending this system into Metro Data Center LLC's 7,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility right here in our own back yard will be a significant value-add for businesses in Dublin and the region,” added McDaniel.
For more information
Contact: Sue Burness, Public Affairs Officer | Desk: 614.410.4508 |
Cell:
614.226.5382
sburness@dublin.oh.us | Twitter: @sueburness