DC BLOX is making waves globally with their next big project, centered right here in Flagler County. The Big Five caught up with Bill Thomson, VP, Marketing and Product Management for DC BLOX for a few more details.
Q1. What made Palm Coast an attractive location for this investment?
Palm Coast was selected for its strategic location along the Florida coast, ideal for new international subsea cable landings. The area offers diverse network routes that avoid the established East Coast hubs in Miami, Virginia Beach, and Ashburn. Google is landing its new Sol subsea cable at this location specifically to offer a diverse connection to Europe from the Southeast US.
Additionally, Palm Coast and the surrounding Flagler County have demonstrated a strong commitment to local economic development, offering an environment that supports innovation and investment in digital infrastructure.
Q2. What types of jobs and opportunities will this bring to the area (job types, salaries, prerequisite training requirements)?
DC BLOX’s cable landing station and associated infrastructure will generate both direct and indirect jobs. These include roles in construction, security, and facility management. The data center will also offer colocation services to local businesses which will help to attract companies to the area that need to house their critical computing systems locally.
As additional subsea cables are announced and fiber network providers move in to provide terrestrial connections, additional infrastructure will need to be constructed and operated.
Q3. After the initial startup, what can residents expect growth-wise from the facility?
The facility is designed to support 6 subsea cables, with only the first being announced. Phased construction of the facility will be aligned with the contracting for additional subsea cables.
The addition of new regional fiber networks will also provide opportunities to connect underserved communities that are seeking to enable broadband services in their areas. These new networks will serve as regional digital superhighways to carry data from the region to core internet exchanges for enhanced communications.
Q4. What plans, if any, does DC BLOX have to integrate into the community?
DC BLOX places a high priority on community engagement. We aim to work closely with Flagler County officials, institutions, and organizations to support economic and educational advancement.
Similarly to other regions where we operate, DC BLOX plans to participate in local economic development initiatives and explore partnerships that enhance digital inclusion. We are committed to being a responsible neighbor in Palm Coast for the long term.
Q5. How has DC BLOX enhanced the quality of life for residents in communities they have expanded into?
DC BLOX enhances quality of life in the communities it serves by prioritizing direct, people-focused contributions such as charitable giving and volunteerism.
For example, in Myrtle Beach, the company donated $50,000 to support the city’s Living Lab initiative, funding programs that promote digital literacy and educational opportunities for students and residents. In addition, DC BLOX has offered space in the Myrtle Beach data center (free of charge) to house computing equipment to support their Smart City initiative.
Beyond financial support, DC BLOX employees regularly volunteer their time with local nonprofits and community organizations, participating in mentorship, fundraising, and civic engagement activities. These efforts reflect a commitment to being a true community partner: one that invests not just in infrastructure, but in the people who make each city thrive.
Q6. What role, if any, will the addition of DC BLOX to the Space Coast bring to the aerospace industry?
With a state-of-the-art data center designed for mission-critical reliability, the DC BLOX cable landing station is well-suited to house the critical infrastructure required of regional businesses and industries, including aerospace.
In addition, the Palm Coast CLS may provide opportunities for global data communications for regional multi-national enterprises.
By anchoring global communications closer to the Space Coast, DC BLOX’s investment will support the continued growth and global competitiveness of the region’s industries.
