Monolith seeks to build data center in Hallam, application to be submitted by mid-July
Monolith is planning to build a new data center on its Olive Creek Campus in Hallam, Lancaster County, Nebraska, with applications for Phase 1 expected by mid-July. The project will involve amending Hallam's zoning ordinance to include data centers as an authorized use, with public hearings and votes scheduled for August and September. Monolith is eyeing Crusoe Energy as a prospective partner and emphasizes the data center's lower environmental impact compared to previous plans.
Monolith, a Lincoln-based company, has announced plans to construct a data center at its Olive Creek Campus in Hallam, Lancaster County, Nebraska, marking its second data center site in the county. Chief Development Officer Anna Wishart confirmed the development, stating that applications for the project's first phase are anticipated by mid-July, with Crusoe Energy being considered as a partner.
The initial phase involves a 10-acre parcel and requires an amendment to Hallam's Zoning Ordinance to authorize data center use. Wishart noted that this project is expected to have less environmental impact, including lower traffic and reduced water usage through water-efficient designs, compared to a previously contemplated larger carbon black and ammonia facility. Public hearings and votes by the planning commission and Board of Trustees are slated for August 19th and September 7th, respectively, on the zoning amendment and site plan review.
Monolith plans to hold community town halls in July and August to address feedback. Crusoe Energy, founded in 2018, is known for prioritizing renewable and low-carbon energy. Monolith's existing Olive Creek facility, operational since 2020, focuses on producing carbon black, a critical industrial material, using a low-emission process.