Innovation Valley & Oak Ridge Connection

Strategic location in East Tennessee's premier technology ecosystem

What is Innovation Valley?

Innovation Valley is a regional cooperative that brings together Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and the surrounding East Tennessee business community to create a world-class technology and research ecosystem. Knoxville serves as the commercial hub of this unique concentration of scientific and technological assets.

Our Unique Positioning

Our data center facility is strategically located in West Knoxville with direct access to Pellissippi Parkway (State Route 162), providing convenient connectivity to both Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the greater Innovation Valley ecosystem. This proximity offers unparalleled access to scientific computing resources, collaborative research opportunities, and a highly skilled technical workforce.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Connection

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is one of the United States Department of Energy's largest science and energy laboratories. Home to some of the world's most powerful supercomputers, ORNL conducts cutting-edge research in:

50+ Years of Scientific Computing Leadership
6,000+ Scientists & Engineers at ORNL
#1 Home to World's Fastest Supercomputer

Innovation Valley Data Center Advantages

Scientific Computing Ecosystem

Proximity to Oak Ridge's supercomputing environment positions your data center within the premier computational research ecosystem. Access to expertise in high-performance computing, data analytics, and advanced modeling.

Skilled Technical Workforce

The concentration of scientific and technological assets requires a highly skilled workforce. University of Tennessee's flagship campus plus 13 additional colleges produce technologically trained professionals ideal for data center operations.

Research Partnerships

Collaborative opportunities with ORNL, University of Tennessee, and Innovation Valley partners. Access to cutting-edge research, technology transfer, and public-private partnerships in computing and data science.

Power Infrastructure

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provides reliable, low-cost power with significant renewable energy generation. The region's power infrastructure supports data-intensive computing operations.

Advanced Connectivity

Multiple fiber carriers serve the region to support research and commercial operations. Existing infrastructure connects to national research networks and commercial internet exchanges.

Technology Credibility

Association with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Innovation Valley provides instant credibility in scientific computing, data analytics, and advanced technology sectors.

Technical Workforce & Education

The Innovation Valley region's educational infrastructure produces a steady pipeline of technologically skilled professionals:

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Regional Educational Resources

Four-Year Institutions

  • University of Tennessee
  • 13 additional four-year colleges in region
  • Strong STEM program emphasis
  • Technology and engineering focus

Technical Training

  • 5 community colleges
  • 5 Colleges of Applied Technology
  • Network administration programs
  • Data center operations training

This concentration of educational resources produces graduates with expertise in networking, systems administration, cybersecurity, data analytics, and high-performance computing—skills directly applicable to data center operations and management.

Business & Quality of Life

Why Companies Choose East Tennessee

Beyond the technical ecosystem, Knoxville offers compelling business and lifestyle advantages:

Business Climate

  • Business-friendly regulatory environment
  • Competitive operating costs
  • State and local incentives for technology companies
  • Access to venture capital and angel investors
  • Growing startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem

Quality of Life

  • Ranked in top 50 best places to live nationally
  • Cost of living below national average
  • Proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Big city amenities with small-town accessibility
  • Strong cultural and recreational opportunities

Workforce Attraction & Retention

The combination of career opportunities in advanced technology, affordable cost of living, and exceptional quality of life makes Knoxville ideal for attracting and retaining technical staff. Data center operators benefit from stable, long-term workforce availability in a region where employees want to live and work.

Innovation Valley Use Cases

Scientific Computing & Research

Organizations conducting computational research, data analytics, or modeling and simulation benefit from Innovation Valley proximity. Potential for collaborative projects with ORNL, access to research networks, and recruiting from the region's computational science talent pool.

Advanced Manufacturing & Materials

Oak Ridge's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility and materials science research create opportunities for companies in advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and materials development. Data center proximity enables real-time data processing and collaboration.

Government & Defense Contractors

Proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (a DOE facility) and Tennessee's defense industry presence makes this location strategic for government contractors requiring secure computing infrastructure and collaboration capabilities.

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Oak Ridge's leadership in AI/ML research (including exascale computing applications) positions the region at the forefront of artificial intelligence development. Companies developing AI applications benefit from ecosystem expertise and potential research partnerships.

Technology Startups & Scale-Ups

Innovation Valley's entrepreneurship ecosystem, access to research resources, and talent pipeline make Knoxville attractive for technology startups. Flexible lease-to-own data center options align with startup growth trajectories and capital constraints.

Strategic Competitive Positioning

Our Innovation Valley location provides competitive advantages that traditional data center locations cannot match:

Technology Ecosystem Immersion

Rather than operating in isolation, your data center becomes part of a collaborative technology ecosystem. Access to cutting-edge research, technical expertise, and innovation partnerships creates opportunities beyond basic colocation services.

Workforce Pipeline

The continuous flow of STEM graduates and trained technical professionals solves the perennial data center challenge of finding and retaining qualified staff. Local universities and technical colleges specifically prepare students for technology careers.

Credibility by Association

Proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and participation in the Innovation Valley ecosystem provides instant credibility with clients, investors, and partners. The "Oak Ridge connection" differentiates your operations from commodity data center providers.

Future-Focused Infrastructure

As data-intensive computing, AI/ML, and advanced analytics continue growing, Innovation Valley's infrastructure and expertise position data center operators to serve these emerging markets effectively.

Join the Innovation Valley Ecosystem

Position your data center in East Tennessee's premier technology and research environment

Request Information
Technical Specifications Disaster Recovery Info