Butte officials still hoping to court data center

Butte-Silver Bow officials are actively working to keep a proposed data center project by Sabey Data Centers alive in the industrial park, following a recent complication in land acquisition. Last week, REC Silicon exercised a right of first refusal on approximately 600 acres of land that Sabey Data Centers had previously secured a buy-sell agreement for, with a closing date set for August 11. This decision by REC Silicon was unexpected by Butte-Silver Bow, coming to light during Sabey's due diligence process. Despite this setback, city and county officials are collaborating with Sabey to find alternative land opportunities within the park, though these options might be for a smaller acreage than originally planned. Sabey Data Centers has indicated a strong interest in continuing their investment in the community. The company also has a project labor agreement in place with the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which would come into effect if the data center moves forward. REC Silicon has not yet disclosed its plans for the purchased land, but Butte-Silver Bow officials are coordinating with a Norwegian battery materials company, Senate, which is reportedly considering land in the same industrial park.