A Growing Divide: Data Center Boom Sparks Debate Across Central Alabama

A wave of data center projects is emerging across central Alabama, sparking debate and opposition among residents in communities from Birmingham to Bessemer, Columbiana, Childersburg, and Wilsonville. Citizens are expressing concerns regarding transparency, environmental impact, quality of life, and noise, prompting protests, signs in yards, and attendance at council meetings. Many feel that decisions are being made without sufficient public input. In Columbiana, the City Council recently rejected a multi-year tax abatement for a data center project by Digi Power, which had been approved under a previous administration. Meanwhile, in Bessemer, Project Marvel is expanding, with the city rezoning over 900 acres to accommodate development while also planning for more open space and moving development away from residential areas. In Birmingham's Oxmoor Valley, the Nebius factory project is underway. The city is developing new data center guidelines, though these will not apply to the Nebius project as it was already in the permitting process. John Sutter, Vice President of U.S. Public Affairs for Nebius, addressed community concerns, stating the company plans to use a closed-loop water system, pay full power costs without impacting residential rates, and install sound mitigation. The project is expected to create over 1,000 construction jobs and 100-150 full-time tech positions, bringing millions in tax revenue. Sutter also refuted claims of foreign ties, emphasizing Nebius is a publicly traded company. Other developers, like Logistic Land Investments, LLC in Bessemer, have been less open to interviews, raising questions about transparency and the use of non-disclosure agreements, which the Birmingham Business Alliance defends as common practice for competitive economic development. Despite assurances, residents indicate they are not backing down, signaling an ongoing fight against these developments.