AI/High Performance Compute startup CloudLogics looks to Ohio for expansion in 2026

A startup artificial intelligence company is planning expansion in Ohio next year.

CloudLogics is planning three other AI PODs in 2026 in California, Florida, and Texas, according to the company.

AI PODs produce “industry leading speed and operational efficiencies,” CloudLogics says, including liquid immersion cooling, high performance processing power, industry leading latency, and sustainability. Specifically, CloudLogics creates no wastewater, a common concern for data center developments elsewhere. It also requires 50% less power.

Drew Hilles is the chief executive officer of CloudLogics, which was founded in 2025. Hilles has a resume that includes leading operations at CBS, executive experience at iHeartMedia, and founding a startup that was acquired by Google.

JD Jones is the chief operations officer. He has over 25 years of telecom and data center experience.

CloudLogics is expanding in Ohio as data centers are growing rapidly in the Midwest.

State leaders are finding ways to grapple with energy and water needs, as well as community impact.

“We really believe in local control in Ohio, so we’ve had previous legislation that retains that capability for local entities to have an opinion on projects, large projects in their area,” Ohio Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) said recently, according to NBC 4. “However, what I’ve seen is through that process, putting out the full, factual base of what is going on, most communities embrace these new projects.”

CloudLogics’ focus on energy and water sustainability bodes well for its expansion efforts.

“Another facet of Ohio that I’m super proud of is we are environmentalists,” Holmes told NBC 4. “Stewardship of the environment is important to this state and me, too. Destruction of your environment is the worst business model you can have, so we’re not going to do that in this state.”