As digital technology continues to transform economies on a global scale, the community of Temple, TX has worked to establish itself at the forefront of innovation. Looking through a future-focused lens, the region is dedicated to increasing digital literacy among its youth. From primary to higher education institutions, Temple is engaging students with STEM-focused coursework, certificate programs and grant initiatives to help pave new career pathways.
Texas has already been in the top two states for its number of tech patents for more than 14 years, and venture capital funding for digital startups in the state continues to grow. The state also has one of the most active data center markets in the nation.
With such a strong foundation for digital technologies, Temple’s tech sector has become a hub for major data centers, software development and support, and information technology. Read on to see how Central Texas continues to lead and adapt to changes in this rapidly evolving industry.
Tech talent finds opportunity in Texas
Equipped with a business-friendly climate and world-class universities, Texas is now home to more than 17,000 technology companies. Community staples like PDI Software and Teletech call Temple home, while just an hour away in Austin, Dell Technologies has roots running 35 years deep.
Texas has built a robust pipeline of skilled talent to support businesses in their pursuit of the next big tech innovation. In 2017, Texas A&M — which has a campus in Central Texas— received designation from the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations. The National Science Foundation found Texas to have the nation’s third highest number of doctorates completed in STEM-related fields, and data shows Texas as the top state in the U.S. for tech worker migration. In 2019, the state also came in second for net tech employment and net tech jobs according to CompTIA.
As of 2020, the Temple-Killeen MSA employed approximately 170 IT managers, 90 information security analysts and 360 workers in software. In 2019, Temple was ranked among the top 10 cities in the U.S. to work in tech by financial advising platform Smart Asset.
Data centers in Temple bolster economic growth
Data centers are integral components to keeping billions connected around the world every day. They enable users to share photos and messages with friends and family across the globe in a matter of seconds, not to mention their role in keeping personal and company data safe and secure.
Texas has become a top location for data center expansions because of its central location in North America, dedicated energy grid and reliable, cost-effective rates. Statewide legislation has been improving the climate for data centers since 2011, including a bill that excludes businesses only involved in internet hosting from collecting sales and use tax from customers. Qualifying businesses that boost the economy and add jobs locally also do not have to pay sales and use tax for certain equipment purchases.
In recent years, Temple’s tech sector has attracted several significant data center expansions. In 2022, Meta, the parent organization of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, announced to invest in an $800 million Hyperscale Data Center. The 1-million-square-foot facility will employ 1,250 workers during peak construction in 2022. Once operational, the facility will employ approximately 100 people.
Meta is not the only company choosing Temple’s talented tech workforce and advantageous location for a data center. In 2021, Rowan Green Data announced it would build a new 500-megawatt (MW) multi-tenant campus in the city. Temple’s robust infrastructure and available shovel-ready land made it an ideal choice for the company’s current and future growth needs.
Construction for Rowan’s Temple data center is taking place in phases, with Phase I expected to be complete by the summer of 2022. Officials anticipate the campus will be fully operational in 2023.
Central Texas is attracting companies and talent from around the world with its innovative communities, vast acreage of available land, digital infrastructure and low energy rates. Explore Temple’s existing facilities and shovel-ready sites and get in touch with our team to learn how an expansion can supercharge growth for your business.