The country's largest private colo operator has hit Phoenix, snapping up a site for its 27th data center. ViaWest's Chris Parsons calls Phoenix a “destination city” for companies along the West Coast, particularly in California, attracted to the stability from a disaster potential standpoint. (We can barely remember our last locust outbreak.)

The purchase is of a 42k SF Cox data center. (It signed a partnership with Cox last year before taking over ownership.) It's supplied with 5,400 kW of power at cheaper Phoenix energy rates. At this site, the focus will be healthcare, hospitality, and financial verticals, Chris says. The company regularly focuses on mid-market companies, some taking as little as half a cabinet, and can also accommodate up to 17KW per cabinet. ViaWest is also working to open a center in Minneapolis and is building one in Denver. (Though in terms of natural disasters, Denver was recently the site of a flash flood of tears.)