Students living closest to Bessemer QTS data center could be left out of $8M scholarship program
A new $8 million scholarship program for Bessemer City School graduates, funded by QTS, is facing criticism from local residents. Students living closest to the controversial QTS data center site are zoned for Jefferson County Schools and are therefore ineligible, leading to accusations that the scholarship is an attempt to sway public opinion about the data center project.
The Bessemer Scholarship program, intended to assist Bessemer City School graduates in attending three area colleges, is drawing criticism due to its primary corporate sponsor, QTS. QTS is the company behind the "Project Marvel data center" in Bessemer, a development that has faced controversy. WVTM 13's Aaron Lewellyn reported on residents' concerns, noting that students living closest to the data center site are zoned for Jefferson County Schools and would therefore be ineligible for the scholarship, despite the data center being "in their own backyard."
Bessemer Mayor King has committed $8 million for the scholarships, while Superintendent Michael Turner of Bessemer City Schools has worked with the Mayor to facilitate QTS's investment. Superintendent Turner highlighted that the school system is expected to give back $250 million through tax incentives from the project, which will further fund student education. He views the scholarship as an opportunity for students to attend HBCUs and hopes it will encourage other companies to invest in the community.
However, some residents oppose the initiative, perceiving it as an attempt by the city to change their minds about the data center and its local impact. They question the company's community involvement when local students are excluded, believing the city is trying to buy support for the project.