Data center to open in north Katy

Dallas-based developer Skybox has started construction on an 86,960-square-foot, 20-acre data center in Katy at the northwest corner of Franz and Mason roads.

The facility, which is expected to open in November, will offer four private 10,000-square-foot halls and 12 addition data rooms for companies in Houston to utilize. With Houston's Energy Corridor located just west of Beltway 8, Skybox said it hopes to capitalize on the city's oil, gas and energy-driven companies.

"This is the second data center to locate in the Katy area in the last five years," said Lance LaCour, president and CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council. "Data centers are one of our target industries for recruitment and usually represent a significant revenue source to local governments due to their high capital investment. This phase of Skybox should create over $100 million in capital investment."

Despite Houston's geographical location making it prone to hurricanes, Skybox said it has an FM I-150 concrete roof that can withstand up to 190 mph winds, or a category five hurricane.

Customers will be able to utilize Skybox's underground, concrete-encased wire ducts and Houston's fiber optic backbone running along I-10.

"They wanted to be positioned near the Energy Corridor and have access to a dependable power supply and multiple, redundant telecom fiber providers," LaCour said. "Katy Area EDC worked on this project for about eight months and provided real estate due diligence assistance, utility solutions assistance [and] permitting. The EDC has offered to assist the company with assessing employee recruitment/training incentives and energy efficiency incentives."