Data center reps respond to questions about $8B York County data center at latest community meeting

Dozens of York County, South Carolina, residents gathered at Oakridge Elementary School in Clover for a community meeting where representatives from QTS Data Centers and local utility partners addressed questions about the ongoing $8 billion data center project. The project, located near Hands Mill Highway and Campbell Road, is approved and currently under construction, with its first phase expected to be operational by 2028. Jose Burns, economic development program manager for QTS, revealed that the campus is planned for approximately nine buildings, with the first phase comprising four buildings. QTS anticipates an $8 billion investment, which includes $40 million in tax revenue for local schools and $16 million for York County, alongside creating 1,000 construction jobs and 200 permanent full-time positions. Many resident concerns focused on water and electricity consumption. Travis Wright, QTS vice president for utilities engagement, explained that QTS utilizes a closed-loop cooling system that requires an initial fill of about 600,000 gallons but does not continuously consume water, contrasting with older technologies. David McCall, QTS brand evangelist, addressed the long-term relevance of data centers, emphasizing their integral role in modern life. Regarding electricity, QTS works with providers like York Electric Cooperative, which partners with Central Electric Power Cooperative, Santee Cooper, and Duke Energy, to ensure grid capacity, with QTS paying for feasibility studies and upgrades. Despite public opposition, QTS's current project is approved to continue. Concurrently, York County officials are developing a new ordinance to establish stricter guidelines for future data center developments. This proposed ordinance could include an 18-month moratorium on new data center permits, a 50-foot roadside buffer, and mandatory noise studies. County staff are reviewing the ordinance, which would then proceed to the York County Council for a public hearing and final approval.