Read time = 5 minutes
Date: August 19, 2025 · Edition #01
Follow the money. Move smarter.
The Big Move:
QTS Launches $10B Data Center Campus in Cedar Rapids
What’s happening:
QTS Data Centers, a Blackstone‐backed operator, has officially broken ground on a massive $10 billion data center campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The site spans 612 acres in the Big Cedar Industrial Center and will include up to seven buildings, backed by waterless cooling technology and powered in partnership with Alliant Energy.
This is expected to generate 2,000+ construction and permanent jobs—making it the largest economic development in Iowa’s history.
Why it matters:
Data center demand is soaring, driven by AI infrastructure and remote/cloud services—this campus signals a foundational shift in regional industrial strategy.
Local housing markets are already responding: homes sell fast—in 9 days on average, median price: $215k (+4.2% in $/sqft YoY)
Early Mover Opportunities
Residential: Homes near the industrial center may see rapid appreciation—pricing remains accessible under market average, but with growing demand.
Commercial: Development-ready parcels near interstate/airport logistics could be ripe for flex space or last-mile delivery hubs.
Land Banking: The Big Cedar Industrial Center continues to attract billions—land parcels still available here could yield game-changing returns.
Action Step:
Contact the Cedar Rapids Economic Development Office this week to explore incentive programs and pre-leasing info (economicdevelopmentcr.com).
Signals
Energy & grid strain: Scaling to seven data centers at once demands infrastructure ahead of demand—watch energy allocation closely.
Home market volatility: Median home price down 2.8% YoY in July but homes sell fast—9-day market window—suggests caution on over-leveraging
Interest from other tech giants—Meta and Microsoft have also invested in Iowa data centers.
Any rollouts of green energy grants or power grid expansions around Cedar Rapids may signal opportunity clusters.
Keep an eye on industrial land auctions in Linn County for early pipeline buying.
before we go, check out the weekly signals podcast for more updates,
Looking to collaborate with other early movers or sponsor an edition? Let’s chat.
See you next Friday,
– The Smart Movers Club Team
Disclaimer: This intel is educational only. Always consult a licensed professional before major financial or development decisions.