U.S. Air Force Leasing Unused Land for Data Centers
- Craig Kaiser
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
In a strategic move to advance the nation's artificial intelligence capabilities, the Air Force is offering over 3,000 acres of federal land for the development of private-sector AI data centers. This initiative highlights a booming demand for suitable properties to house the powerful infrastructure behind AI. For public and private landowners, this trend represents a potential windfall.
The digital world runs on data, and AI requires an immense amount of it. This has created a modern-day land rush, with tech companies scrambling to find locations for new data centers. The Air Force's recent announcement is a clear signal of this demand's intensity. If the federal government is leasing its own underutilized land for this purpose, it underscores the value that government and private landowners might be sitting on.
If you're a government or private landowner interested in leasing or selling land for a data center, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the data center land gold rush. Data center developers are actively searching for suitable properties and are willing to pay top dollar. List your property for free on LandApp's marketplace with no obligations to accept offers:
The Air Force Paves the Way for AI Infrastructure
In October 2025, the Department of the Air Force issued a Request For Lease Proposal (RFLP) that made 3,101 acres of underutilized federal land available to private companies for data centers. Although the proposed data centers would not be for direct military use, the move aligns with the nation's goal to lead in AI development. In January and July 2025, President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to accelerate AI adoption and identify military land suitable for constructing high-energy data centers, and this initiative is a direct response to those executive orders.
Air Force Land for Lease for Data Centers
The Air Force has identified land for lease for data centers across five active bases, showing a nationwide search for suitable locations. They include the Edwards, Davis-Monthan, Arnold, Robins, and McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Air Force Bases in California, Arizona, Tennessee, Georgia, and New Jersey. These sites were selected based on market analysis, infrastructure availability, and strategic importance.
1) Edwards Air Force Base, California: 2,115 acres
Edwards Air Force Base alone is offering 2,115 acres for lease on 7 sites; nearly two-thirds of the total land available for data centers at U.S. Air Force Bases. Located on the edge of the Mojave Desert in California, the Edwards Air Force Base is no stranger to advanced technology; it recently conducted dog fighting war games with AI-controlled fighter jets.
2) Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona: 300 acres
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona has about 300 acres available for data center leasing. Located on the base's western edge, it borders an industrial area, which includes a Tucson Electric Power plant.
3) Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee: 274 acres
Located in Coffee and Franklin Counties, Tennessee, the Arnold Air Force Base has 274 acres available for data center leasing. This land is divided into 3 sites: one 122-acre plot and two adjacent plots that total 152 acres.
4) Robins Air Force Base, Georgia: 219 acres
Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia, has 219 acres available for data center leasing, split into three sites ranging from 30 to 135 acres.
5) Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey: 193 acres
At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, two distinct parcels of land are available for lease for data center development. These include a 73-acre site and a larger 120-acre site, which together offer a substantial 193 acres.
Proposal Requirements & Terms of the Data Center Leases
The government isn’t simply giving this land away. Proposals, due by November 14, 2025, require data center developers to pay at least "fair market value" for the lease and outline their plans for the land. This could fuel competition among major AI players like OpenAI and Google. These private companies will handle the financing, design, and operation of the data centers, while the Air Force will provide the land.
Proposals must include a minimum load capacity of 100 megawatts, a total investment exceeding $500 million, and adherence to Air Force leasing and environmental standards. They must also account for administrative expenses, estimated at $250,000. Additionally, bidders must demonstrate a proven track record, having successfully completed multiple large-scale data center projects with power demands exceeding 100 megawatts.
The government is expected to approve and finalize these deals early next year, with leases lasting up to 50 years. Extensions are possible if the data centers are deemed beneficial to the government or national defense. This high barrier to entry ensures only serious, well-funded developers can participate. Many of these same operators are now targeting private land for expansion, bringing both significant capital and a willingness to pay a premium for properties that meet their specific requirements.
Why This Matters for Public & Private Landowners
The Air Force's initiative is more than just a government program; it's a market indicator. The insatiable demand for AI has created a specialized and highly lucrative niche in the real estate market. Data center operators are on a mission to find land, and they are willing to pay top dollar for it.
Lease or Sell: Developers Are Flexible
Data center developers are open to various arrangements, including both leasing and purchasing land. Although it is more common for data center operators to buy land instead of leasing it because it gives them long-term stability and control, this flexibility offers options for public and private landowners that are interested in data center development on their land.
You can secure a long-term income stream through a lease or receive a significant lump-sum payment by selling your property. Both paths can be incredibly profitable, with data center developers often offering premium prices- up to 2 to 4 times market value- for properties that check their boxes.
What Makes a Property Attractive for a Data Center?
Not every plot of land qualifies for a data center. These facilities have specific and demanding requirements. Developers are looking for properties with:
Access to High-Voltage Power: Data centers are energy-intensive. Proximity to substations and a reliable power grid is non-negotiable.
Fiber Optic Connectivity: High-speed data transmission is the lifeblood of these facilities. Land near major fiber optic routes is highly desirable.
Water Access for Cooling: Many modern data centers use water-based cooling systems, making a sustainable water source a key consideration.
Favorable Zoning: The land must be zoned for industrial or commercial use, or be in an area where rezoning is straightforward.
Low Risk of Natural Disasters: Locations away from floodplains, fault lines, and other environmental risks are preferred.
If your property possesses some or all of these characteristics, it could be a prime candidate for data center development. You may be holding a more valuable asset than you realize.
Seize the Opportunity: List Land for Free
The demand for data center sites is here and growing rapidly. The Air Force's program is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Private companies, from tech giants to specialized developers, are actively searching for their next location. The challenge for them is finding available and suitable properties.
This is where public and private landowners come in. You can make your land visible to these motivated buyers and lessees. By listing your property for sale or for lease on LandApp's specialized marketplace for data center development, you put it directly in front of the decision-makers who are ready to invest and pay top-dollar for land. There are no fees, commissions, or obligations to accept any offers when you list on LandApp.
Government agencies with unused land or vacant buildings can offer their properties for lease or for sale for data center development- an initiative that drives economic growth, creates jobs, and increases tax revenue. LandApp helps government agencies explore the potential of their properties and connect with data center developers, and our services are completely free. Learn more and book a call with our dedicated team below:
