Data Center Deal Put Bessemer’s Public in the Dark
Officials in Bessemer, Alabama, signed a strict non-disclosure agreement with developers of a massive data center project, Project Marvel, severely limiting public information. Environmental groups sued, forcing the NDA's disclosure, revealing extensive developer control over city officials and sparking widespread community opposition over potential strains on water, power, and public health.
Officials in Bessemer, Alabama, including Mayor Kenneth Gulley, Chief of Staff Christoper Warrer, and City Attorney Aaron Killings, signed a strict non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with developers of 'Project Marvel,' a proposed 4.5 million square foot data center. This agreement severely restricted the public disclosure of project details, site plans, reports, and even the identity of the developers.
The NDA became public after the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Alabama Rivers Alliance sued the city, citing Alabama's public records laws. It was subsequently reported that QTS Data Centers is one of the companies behind the project, which is planned for a 1,600-acre forest area and was recently rezoned from agricultural to industrial use. Residents have voiced widespread opposition, fearing the data center will strain local resources, including consuming up to 1,200 megawatts of power and at least 2 million gallons of water daily, exacerbating environmental inequities in the predominantly Black community.