Brookwood residents to question developer on data center
Brookwood, Alabama residents are invited to a community town hall to question developer Applied Digital about its proposed 1.26 million-square-foot data center. The facility, known as Project Highlands, is expected to be an AI Factory and has already received a significant tax abatement from the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority. Residents have raised environmental concerns regarding potential impacts on Hurricane Creek.
Residents of Brookwood, Alabama, are invited to a community town hall on October 1st to voice concerns and learn more about a proposed 1.26 million-square-foot data center development by Applied Digital. Nick Phillips, executive vice president of external affairs for Dallas-based Applied Digital, will attend the meeting to address the public.
The "Project Highlands" facility, which will serve as a DeltaForge 2 AI Factory, is under construction on 160 acres north of the 17000 block of Brookwood Parkway, with completion targeted for December 31, 2028. Although Applied Digital has not publicly named a tenant for this specific facility, releases from the company and the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority identified Kayvens LLC as the long-term tenant. Records indicate Kayvens LLC is registered to an address associated with Meta Platforms Inc. in Menlo Park, California, a connection Phillips declined to confirm but suggested observers could infer.
The Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority approved a noneducational tax abatement valued at approximately $314.5 million over 20 years for the project on September 24th. The facility is expected to create over 1,000 construction jobs and, once operational, will employ about 100 workers, generating an estimated payroll of $129.5 million over two decades.
Phillips acknowledged community concerns about potential environmental impacts on Hurricane Creek, a local recreation area. He stated that Applied Digital is committed to building proper drainage systems and retention ponds, aiming to leave the area in a better state than they found it, and intends to work with residents and regulators to address these issues. The company also plans to hire a community engagement coordinator to facilitate ongoing dialogue.