Hut 8 promises $16M water upgrades near Baton Rouge
Hut 8 has pledged $16 million for water infrastructure improvements in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, to support its upcoming AI data center, River Bend. The investment will fund a new well and water main, which will be transferred to the parish at no cost to taxpayers. The data center will utilize a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water usage.
Hut 8, an energy and digital infrastructure company based in Miami, has announced a $16 million agreement with West Feliciana Parish in Louisiana to fund significant water infrastructure improvements. This investment is intended to support the company's new AI data center, named River Bend, which is currently under construction approximately 30 miles north of downtown Baton Rouge.
The improvements will include the construction of a new well and about eight miles of water main, which will be transferred to the parish upon completion "at no cost to taxpayers." According to Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot, the company aims to build infrastructure for communities, not just for its own operations. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard lauded the agreement, stating it is a "real investment" that will benefit over 4,000 households and 200 businesses in the parish by preparing for future growth while conserving local resources.
The River Bend data center's first phase, slated for operation by 2027, will incorporate a closed-loop cooling system. This technology reuses the same fluid to cool equipment, significantly reducing ongoing water consumption compared to traditional open-loop systems that can use millions of gallons daily. The project is part of up to $10 billion in planned investments by Hut 8, with the company also expected to receive tax rebates from Louisiana Economic Development.