The data center boom is already underway, and the major investments are showing up in demand for local and regional services. That is the view of Markus Urpiola, Forenom’s new Area Manager for Vaasa and Ostrobothnia.
Urpiola is following the developments closely and sees the need for accommodation growing along with the large projects.
“So many workers, specialists and other professionals are coming to the region that the current accommodation capacity simply won’t be enough to meet the need,” Urpiola says.
A clear view of the challenges and opportunities
Forenom has a good picture of how much accommodation capacity will be needed and roughly when. According to Urpiola, demand is growing faster than many may have expected.
“We can’t just talk about this, we have to act. The longer we put off solutions, the harder they become to find. This is an exceptional opportunity for Vaasa and Ostrobothnia, and one worth seizing.”
Urpiola became Forenom’s Area Manager for Vaasa and Ostrobothnia in April. He already knows the region well, including its investors and property companies. He has a strong background in sales and more than 15 years of experience in supervisory and management roles.
From hotels to detached houses
Forenom offers a wide range of accommodation: hostels, aparthotels, apartments, terraced and detached houses, workforce barracks, and various modular and prefabricated solutions. Its customers are just as varied. They include large listed companies and industrial firms, as well as smaller businesses and private individuals. According to Urpiola, every kind of accommodation is needed as new projects start up and grow.
New opportunities for property owners
To increase accommodation capacity, Ostrobothnia needs both new construction and the conversion of existing buildings. Urpiola sees significant opportunities here for property owners.
“It has to be done smartly. We have a chance to create solutions that meet many different needs.”
Calling it “temporary accommodation” isn’t always quite accurate. Industrial projects can take several years to complete, and new needs arise along the way. Large projects involve dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of subcontractors. They all need somewhere to stay.
If the region plans for the long term, accommodation built for the data center boom can later help meet other demand too, for example from students or others looking for a home.
“Rental income from temporary tenants can fund renovations that later benefit others as well. New construction is in a completely different cost bracket, too, if someone is paying for the first few years,” Urpiola says.
Data centers are only part of the picture
The data center projects are only one part of the development under way in the region.
“Several other major industrial projects are also in the pipeline, and the ripple effects keep growing,” Urpiola says.
Forenom handles needs large and small. For example, it can rent individual apartments from private owners, but it can also take on larger properties and turn them into accommodation suited to its customers.
A complete solution for property owners
For property owners, handing the whole package over to Forenom can be a hassle-free option. Forenom furnishes and equips the apartments or properties, rents them out and takes care of all the practical arrangements, including electricity contracts, internet connections and ongoing property maintenance.
The focus is on long-term stays. Guests typically stay anywhere from a few months to several years.
The guiding principles are homeliness, good amenities and cost-efficiency. Forenom tailors its accommodation to each customer’s needs and offers different levels, from affordable basic options to premium.
Fast solutions when the need arises
A fast response is an essential part of Forenom’s service.
“We promise to send the customer an accommodation offer within 48 hours. It often happens the same day.”
Some of Forenom’s accommodation, such as its aparthotels and hostels, can be booked directly online at forenom.com. Forenom offers more than 10,000 accommodation options across the Nordics and Germany. Forenom also has 24/7 customer service, so help is always available if problems arise.
Rapid growth in the region
Forenom is investing in local operations and has its own staff in Vaasa, Kokkola and Seinäjoki, among other places. Its business in Ostrobothnia is growing strongly, and the goal is to multiply its regional revenue. Business is going well, and new agreements are being signed with property owners all the time to build the accommodation capacity needed for both current and future demand.
Do you own a property in the Vaasa region? Get in touch to hear how you can benefit from leasing your property to Forenom.
This article was originally published in Vaasa Insider on 28 September 2026. Text: Peter Stolpe