The AI infrastructure race in the United States continues to accelerate as enterprises demand faster deployment timelines, denser compute environments, and scalable utility-backed facilities. 365 Data Centers has now entered a strategic partnership with Aphorio Carter, the data center and critical infrastructure arm of Carter Funds, to develop nearly 200 megawatts of AI-ready capacity across several U.S. markets.
The initiative reflects a wider industry shift toward converting and modernizing existing infrastructure instead of relying solely on long-cycle greenfield developments. The first wave of projects will target Colorado and Kentucky as both companies move aggressively into high-density AI infrastructure delivery.
365 Data Centers plans to evaluate six locations during the initial phase while positioning itself as the long-term operator across the portfolio. The company expects the first facilities to enter service within the next nine to 24 months. These sites will support high-density liquid-to-chip cooling systems built specifically for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing workloads. The approach highlights how infrastructure providers now prioritize thermal efficiency and rack density as foundational design requirements for modern compute deployments.
Initial Expansion Strategy Targets Key U.S. Growth Corridors
The partnership has already initiated letters of intent for Aurora, Colorado, and Simpsonville, Kentucky. Additional locations under consideration include Trumbull, Connecticut; Louisville, Kentucky; Harrisonburg, Virginia; and Columbus, Ohio. Each market offers a combination of utility accessibility, enterprise connectivity, and regional growth potential that aligns with rising AI infrastructure demand. The phased rollout strategy gives 365 flexibility to scale deployments while responding to evolving customer requirements across multiple geographic regions.
“Through this partnership, we’re in an ideal position to create a new class of high-density infrastructure designed specifically for AI-era workloads,” said Derek Gillespie, CEO & CRO of 365 Data Centers. “Working with Aphorio Carter will allow us to create new value in existing assets while bringing new capacity online to support today’s demand.”
The companies expect each facility to support cabinet densities ranging from 50 kilowatts to more than 200 kilowatts per rack. That density range places the planned portfolio within the upper tier of modern AI-ready deployments, particularly as enterprises seek infrastructure capable of supporting advanced GPU clusters and accelerated computing environments. High-density environments increasingly require coordinated power delivery, liquid cooling integration, and advanced operational management from day one. Consequently, operators that can align those elements early continue gaining an advantage in the AI infrastructure market.
Liquid Cooling Moves Closer to Core Infrastructure Design
The partnership between Aphorio Carter and 365 Data Centers combines infrastructure redevelopment expertise with operational execution capabilities. Aphorio Carter brings real estate investment and redevelopment experience focused on accelerating infrastructure delivery in power-constrained markets.
Meanwhile, 365 contributes operational management, colocation expertise, and an existing customer pipeline tied to enterprise and AI-driven demand. Together, the companies aim to shorten deployment cycles while maximizing asset utilization across upgraded facilities.
“We’ve aligned the delivery of utility power with critical infrastructure allowing us to provide scalable, high-density infrastructure where it’s needed most. This is a great partnership where we’ve got the real estate and the ability to supply the data center infrastructure inline with available utility capacity while 365 has a highly reliable O&M track record along with a healthy pipeline of customers,” stated John Regan, President & COO at Aphorio Carter. “Together, we’re creating a scalable supply of power-rich environments that can be delivered faster and perform at a higher level than traditional developments.”
The emphasis on liquid-to-chip cooling marks another sign that AI workloads continue reshaping physical infrastructure planning across the sector. Traditional enterprise colocation environments often operated below the density thresholds now required for large-scale AI processing.
However, accelerated compute deployments increasingly demand specialized thermal systems, upgraded electrical architecture, and utility coordination at significantly higher levels. Infrastructure providers that can retrofit or redevelop assets around those requirements may secure faster market entry compared to conventional ground-up projects.
AI Infrastructure Competition Intensifies Across Regional Markets
The broader strategy behind the partnership aligns with growing enterprise demand for AI-capable infrastructure outside traditional hyperscale hubs. Regional markets with accessible power, lower latency advantages, and redevelopment opportunities have become increasingly attractive to operators seeking faster deployment pathways.
365 Data Centers appears to be positioning itself directly within that trend by focusing on adaptable facilities capable of supporting next-generation compute environments. Further details regarding site specifications, timelines, and capacity allocations will emerge as projects advance through approvals and development milestones.
The announcement also reinforces a larger reality shaping the data center industry in 2026. AI infrastructure development now depends as much on power alignment and cooling readiness as on network connectivity or real estate availability. Operators that combine utility coordination, rapid redevelopment capabilities, and dense thermal architecture are quickly becoming central players in the next phase of enterprise compute expansion.
