MARA adds energy, data center leaders for Matagorda expansion
MARA Holdings Inc. appointed new directors with expertise in power markets and data center construction as it expands into AI and high-performance computing, including a proposed campus in Matagorda County, Texas. This expansion involves acquiring over 1,200 acres and securing up to 2 gigawatts of grid capacity for a large digital infrastructure campus. The company also has plans for an acquisition in Ohio to further its digital infrastructure strategy.
MARA Holdings Inc. announced the addition of Craig Hart and Nancy Novak to its board of directors, effective August 1. These appointments reflect the bitcoin mining company's strategic shift towards artificial intelligence and high-performance computing infrastructure, including significant expansion projects in Matagorda County, Texas, and Hannibal, Ohio. The new directors bring extensive experience in power markets and large-scale data center development.
The board changes follow MARA's agreement to acquire over 1,200 acres in Matagorda County from HIF USA. This site, to be developed with Starwood Digital Ventures, is slated to become a digital infrastructure campus with access to up to 2 gigawatts of grid capacity by April 2028, with construction planned to begin in phases during 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The company anticipates the Matagorda project could eventually more than double its potential portfolio capacity.
Furthermore, MARA plans to acquire Long Ridge Energy & Power in Ohio for approximately $1.5 billion, which includes a 505-megawatt natural gas power plant and a digital infrastructure campus capable of supporting over 1 gigawatt of power, with up to 600 megawatts allocated for AI and critical computing. This broader expansion strategy requires MARA to manage significant construction, utility connections, and permitting while attracting long-term customers for its proposed capacity.