Two data centers could be headed to Jasper County, here's what residents can expect to see

Jasper County, Missouri, is on the verge of potentially acquiring two new data centers, with one slated for West Joplin and another situated between Russell and Sarcoxie. The prospect of these developments prompted local news outlet KSNF KODE to investigate and explain the fundamental nature of data centers to its audience. David Markley of Stronghold Data in Joplin elaborated that data centers are typically large buildings housing extensive computer equipment, including numerous servers and storage units, designed to process and store vast amounts of data. He noted that different data centers serve various purposes, with some dedicated to artificial intelligence. Markley emphasized that AI data centers require different specifications, particularly relying on Graphical Processing Units (GPUs) rather than standard Central Processing Units (CPUs) due to their parallel processing capabilities and thousands of cores. This shift to AI means an even greater demand for resources, resulting in "more heat," "more power," and "more cooling required" than previous iterations of data centers. Despite these evolving needs, Markley concluded that structurally, a data center remains largely an industrial-style building, often resembling a warehouse with few or no windows, designed primarily for utility and accommodating extensive wiring and cooling systems. He added that anyone using the internet is likely tapping into a data center.