AI Data Center Revolt Tour stops in Spartanburg
The political grassroots organization Humans First brought its AI Data Center Revolt Tour to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to protest the proposed $2.8 billion AI Valara data center project by NorthMark. Residents and State Rep. Thomas Beach raised concerns about transparency, environmental impact, and the large scale of the facility. The Spartanburg County Council is also under scrutiny for delaying a proposed one-year data center moratorium.
The organization Humans First stopped its 'AI Data Center Revolt Tour' in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to vocalize opposition against the proposed $2.8 billion AI Valara data center. The project, being developed by NorthMark on South Pine Street, has generated significant controversy among local residents and has drawn national attention.
Kylie Kremer of Humans First emphasized the need for guardrails, accountability, and transparency in AI infrastructure development, criticizing corporations for allegedly circumventing local zoning laws and using non-disclosure agreements. State Rep. Thomas Beach echoed these sentiments, questioning whether residents had sufficient information to make informed decisions about the 450-megawatt data center campus, which was initially presented as a smaller computing facility.
Concerns highlighted include inconsistencies in job creation figures, environmental impacts, and the project's overall scale. NorthMark initially announced 27 jobs but now anticipates around 150 permanent onsite positions. The Spartanburg County Council has faced criticism for delaying a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development, which, if passed, would temporarily halt new projects. Humans First plans to continue its 35-stop tour, heading to North Carolina, Washington D.C., and Silicon Valley next.