March 26, 2025

Study estimates more than $414 million in additional tax revenues over 20 years, a savings of about $730 per year for the “typical” Niagara Falls homeowner; Job revenue earnings are estimated to top $1.66 billion over 20 years, supporting almost 1,000 jobs per year on average

NOTE: The full 24-page report can be found here.

March 25, 2025 (Niagara Falls, NY) – Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR) and MRB Group – a leading engineering, architecture, and municipal planning company – are pleased to announce the release of MRB Group’s new report detailing the substantial positive economic and fiscal impacts of the proposed Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus in Niagara Falls, New York.

The 24-page report highlights tax revenue, job creation, and economic spin-off benefits that will be generated by the $1.5 billion Niagara Digital Campus data center, including property and sales tax revenues.

es that will accrue to Niagara County, the City of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Falls City School District, and the State of New York.

In partnership with Urbacon Data Centre Solutions Inc., the Toronto-based developer and operator of award-winning data centers, NFR’s proposed 1.2 million square foot, 140 Megawatt, high-capacity data center will be comprised of nine buildings, equipped with state-of-the-art server halls, network infrastructure, office space, and mechanical/electrical support areas.

The new MRB report commissioned by NFR provides a comprehensive examination of the direct and indirect economic impacts and tax revenues the proposed development will bring through employment, capital expenditures, and estimated energy usage.

Billions in Tax Revenues and Economic Benefits

New property, gross receipts and sales tax revenues include property taxes to be paid on improvements to the site, as well as sales and gross receipt taxes associated with the project’s energy use. Over 20 years, the total additional taxes generated by the project is estimated at more than $414 million. The new MRB study breaks down these tax revenues as follows:

• Over a 20-year period, the project will generate approximately $298 million in new property, sales and gross tax receipts to the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls School District.
• Niagara County will receive an estimated $54 million in new property and sales tax revenue.
• New York State will also receive approximately $63 million in sales tax revenues from the project’s energy usage.

To help illustrate what the overall impact of the Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus means to local residents,MRB translated property tax savings to a “typical” owner of an average-priced single-family home. The typical homeowner will save approximately $14,603 over 20 years, which equates to an average of approximately $730 per year (savings are defined as revenues that the City and the School District otherwise would have to collect via their respective tax levies).

As to employment, according to the report, over the course of 20 years, the Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus will support 19,238 job-years (which is inclusive of construction jobs, permanent jobs, and indirect jobs), $1.66 billion in earnings. This equates to an average of 962 jobs with $83 million in earnings each year.

“This report confirms everything that we have said since the beginning: the Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus is the best investment the city can make, one that will create technology jobs, tax revenues and prosperity for generations to come,” said Roger Trevino, Executive Vice President of Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR). “With our partners at Urbacon, we are ready to begin today, and look forward to working with the City to make this project a reality.”

“This is a comprehensive analysis utilizing industry-leading economic impact modelling software,” said Michael N’dolo, National Director of Economic Development Services at MRB Group. “The benefits to the community are unquestionable, and we hope our work furthers the understanding of the tax revenues, job creation and other economic benefits that will accrue to the people of Niagara Falls as a result of the Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus.”

MRB Group is a well-respected Western New York engineering, architecture, and municipal planning company. MRB previously worked on notable Western New York projects that include the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Erie County, the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s most recent Economic Development Strategy, and an Advanced Industry Clusters study for Empire State Development.

Dennis Elsenbeck, formerly of National Grid and now a consultant to the Niagara Digital Campus project, said: “In addition to the tax revenues generated from sale of electricity to the data center, the 24/7 power use will significantly broaden the base of ratepayers in the city. In addition, NFR and Urbacon will spend tens of millions on a new substation and upgrades to transmission lines. All of this should exert downward pressure on future electrical rates.”

In addition to its release to the public, the economic impact information contained in the MRB Report will also be included in the forthcoming submissions to the City to address the proper zoning for the location of the Data Center at Niagara Digital Campus.

The full 24-page report can be found here.

About Niagara Falls Redevelopment

Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR) is a private company dedicated to the redevelopment of Niagara Falls, New York. NFR owns more than 440 parcels of prime real estate in the heart of downtown Niagara Falls.  With large, ready-to-build parcels just steps away from the falls, NFR has a rare opportunity to participate in the rebirth of one of America’s most beloved cities.

Over the years, NFR has spent more than $116 million in the Niagara Falls area as part of its continuing effort to develop key parcels. This represents one of the most significant private investments of capital in the history of the City of Niagara Falls. NFR’s contributions to the community include property and school taxes totaling nearly $13.2 million, making NFR and its subsidiaries among the largest taxpayers in Niagara Falls.

About Urbacon 

Urbacon is a preeminent developer, constructor, and operator of hyperscale and build-to-suit data centers in North America. They provide leading edge facilities with high connectivity, high efficiency, and high security, in flexible geographies with expansion potential.

Founded in 1984, Urbacon brings the competitive advantage of in-house resources with a range of technical proficiencies at their disposal including planning, architecture, engineering, and project management.

Urbacon successfully operates facilities similar to the one NFR proposes to bring to Niagara Falls in Montreal, Toronto and Richmond Hill, Ontario. Each project brought tremendous economic benefit to its local community and has received the full support of all levels of government.