Fluidstack hosts data center open house
Fluidstack held an open house for its planned data center campus at Progress Park in Wise County, Virginia. Neighbors and protesters raised concerns about water use, electricity costs and capacity, and noise, while the company said it would use closed-loop cooling and pay for required power upgrades.
Fluidstack hosted an open house about its planned computing campus at Progress Park in Wise County, Virginia, where the company has broken ground on a 99-acre development. Representatives said the project is expected to create about 1,000 construction jobs at peak and 75 full-time positions once operational.
The event drew dozens of protesters and nearby residents who said they left with more frustration than answers and wanted a town hall rather than a science-fair-style presentation. Community concerns include the project's water consumption, energy demand and potential effects on utility bills, as well as noise. Fluidstack said the facility will use closed-loop cooling requiring a one-time fill of its cooling tank and that the project will cover needed Appalachian Power upgrades or equipment while complying with Progress Park noise limits.