Trump administration announces $100 billion AI data center in Kentucky
The Trump administration announced plans for a $100 billion privately funded AI data center campus in Paducah, Kentucky, at a former uranium enrichment facility. The project, expected to create thousands of jobs and include new power generation, will occur alongside ongoing environmental cleanup efforts, though some groups have raised concerns.
The Trump administration has revealed plans to redevelop a portion of the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in western Kentucky into a substantial artificial intelligence data center campus. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that this privately funded initiative is projected to attract approximately $100 billion in investment, generate around 8,000 construction jobs, and establish 600 permanent positions.
The project includes the development of new natural gas-fired power generation and battery storage systems to support the AI computing operations. The site, a Cold War-era uranium enrichment facility, has been undergoing environmental cleanup since its operations ceased in 2013. Federal officials confirm that the redevelopment will proceed concurrently with existing remediation efforts.
Despite the economic benefits, some environmental groups have voiced concerns regarding the potential impacts of the project. Construction is anticipated to be completed by 2031.