NorthMark is giving $1 million to Spartanburg County organizations. Here's who's getting it
NorthMark Compute and Cloud, developer of a controversial data center and 457-megawatt power plant in Spartanburg County, is donating $1 million to local educational organizations to build goodwill. The project faces ongoing community opposition due to concerns about noise and pollution, as well as legal challenges regarding its development classification and environmental permits. Despite a recent legal win concerning a state siting act, the company continues to navigate significant local resistance and regulatory scrutiny.
NorthMark Compute and Cloud, the developer behind a contentious data center and an associated 457-megawatt natural gas power plant on Pine Street in Spartanburg County, is attempting to cultivate community goodwill through a $1 million charitable donation. This initiative comes amidst significant local opposition from residents concerned about potential noise and air pollution from the facility.
The project, which was initially attracted to Spartanburg County with tax incentives, has been the subject of multiple legal and regulatory challenges. NorthMark recently secured a victory when the state's Public Service Commission ruled that the Siting Act, which mandates permission for producers of over 75 megawatts, did not apply, as the plant would not be feeding power into the state grid. However, the company is still embroiled in a state court battle over whether Spartanburg County correctly classified the development as 'minor' instead of 'major,' which would have required approval from the county planning commission.
Further complicating matters, the Southern Environmental Law Center is actively seeking modifications to the Department of Environmental Services' draft permit for the data center's natural gas turbines. In response to these ongoing controversies, NorthMark has launched an advertising campaign highlighting cleanup efforts at the former Kohler plant site and announced its financial commitment to local educational institutions.
Chief Operating Officer Mark Johnson emphasized NorthMark's commitment to investing in the community. Spartanburg Community College, the Spartanburg Science Center, and the Middle Tyger Education Center are each receiving $275,000, with additional funds distributed to employee-chosen organizations. This initial donation marks the beginning of a broader philanthropic campaign focused on STEM education, workforce development, public safety, and resource stewardship.