The data doesn’t add up: Butte data center job predictions seem significantly inflated

The article examines the job creation claims surrounding Sabey Data Centers' proposed data center project in Butte, Montana. While the project has generated excitement over the potential for new employment opportunities, the author, Ayana Gray, expresses concerns that the job projections may be significantly inflated. Gray points out that the only source for the employment numbers is Sabey Data Centers' CEO, John Sabey, who stated the facility will employ around 200 people and create 600 temporary construction jobs. However, Gray notes that there is little independent evidence to support these claims. She reached out to Sabey Data Centers multiple times but did not receive any payroll data or other proof to back up the job estimates. Gray's research indicates that data center job creation is often significantly lower than what companies claim. She cites industry analyses showing data centers can operate with as few as 20-30 permanent staff per 100 MW of capacity, vastly less than Sabey's projections. Gray also highlights concerns that the temporary construction jobs may not all go to local workers, as Sabey operates its own construction company. The article concludes by calling on Sabey to provide concrete evidence and formalized agreements to ensure the promised jobs actually materialize in Butte, rather than relying on what Gray describes as "inflated speculations."