Tuberville Gets $25K From Developer Tied to Brookwood Project
Applied Digital Corporation, a company connected to a proposed large-scale industrial development near Brookwood, Alabama, contributed $25,000 to Senator Tommy Tuberville's campaign. Tuberville has publicly advocated for data center development in Alabama. The Brookwood City Council is holding a public meeting to discuss proposed economic development projects in the area, amidst community concerns about data centers.
Applied Digital Corporation, identified in public records as being tied to a proposed large-scale industrial development near Brookwood, Alabama, contributed $25,000 to U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville's campaign last month, according to a campaign-finance report filed with the Alabama secretary of state. The contribution was received on August 7 and reported on August 11, coming from the Dallas-based corporation.
The contribution coincides with Senator Tuberville, an Alabama Republican, actively promoting data center development as part of his campaign message, particularly for its potential economic benefits and tax revenue for schools. Tuberville has acknowledged resident concerns about data centers, suggesting future projects should use recycled water, developers should fund electric-grid infrastructure, and communities should benefit from tax revenue. He also stated that data centers seeking to come to Alabama should 'sell us,' not the other way around, and that the state should re-evaluate large tax breaks for technology projects.
Alabama Department of Environmental Management records link Applied Digital through its affiliate, APLD BHM-01 LLC, to a project described as 'Brookwood, AL Industrial' along Brookwood Parkway, near Brookwood Middle School. Documents indicate plans for an approximately 2 million-square-foot industrial building on nearly 137 acres. Applied Digital also owns hundreds of acres along Brookwood Parkway, according to Tuscaloosa County GIS records.
While a potential data center has been a dominant topic of public discussion, Applied Digital has not confirmed its plans for the location. Nick Phillips, the company's executive vice president of external affairs, stated that Applied Digital continuously evaluates sites and no decision has been made for the Brookwood property. Brookwood city leaders similarly have not confirmed what will ultimately be built. The Brookwood City Council is scheduled to hold a public meeting to provide information and answer questions about proposed economic-development projects associated with Industrial Parkway, with public comments limited to 50 people, prioritizing Brookwood residents.