Residents, officials react to proposed data center in Union County

Volt Edge Energy, a subsidiary of Genesis Digital Assets, has proposed "Project Alpaca," a 49-megawatt data center campus in Union County, South Carolina, representing a $410 million private investment. The company projects the development at the Midway Green Industrial Park would generate millions in new tax revenue for the county, create over 500 construction jobs, and more than 50 high-wage operational jobs. Company representative Ankit Joshi presented the proposal during a county council meeting. The proposal has quickly sparked mixed reactions, with significant resident opposition emerging. Braeden Jones initiated a petition, garnering hundreds of signatures, to voice community disapproval, citing concerns over water usage and noise pollution. Jones challenged Volt Edge's claim of a closed-loop cooling system that wouldn't impact local water, asserting that local water would still be used and could emit odors. He also called for greater transparency regarding the data center's intended use (AI vs. storage). Longtime resident Dalton Sinclair expressed hesitations, worrying about potential increases in utility bills without corresponding tax relief. Lockhart Power Company President Bryan Stone assured residents that the existing power capacity at the industrial park, left by previous businesses, would be sufficient, and there would be no electric rate hikes for current customers. However, resident Andrew East sought guarantees that the project would not require future infrastructure upgrades or subsidized industrial rates that could shift costs to taxpayers. East also emphasized the importance of ensuring the new jobs benefit Union County locals and raised concerns about noise pollution for nearby properties. The Union County Council will hold a public hearing for Project Alpaca on May 12 at 5 p.m. at the Main Street Junction. This precedes the required three readings of an ordinance for approval. If approved, Volt Edge Energy plans to break ground by late 2026, with operations commencing by the end of 2027.