Data Center Signal is tracking 20 clips about IBM data center developments across 7 states, including IL, KY, CA, NY, MI.
Clayco founder Bob Clark is overseeing Quantum Shore, a planned 440-acre quantum computing campus on Chicago’s former U.S. Steel site. The roughly $12 billion development is expected to open in 2027, with IBM and PsiQuantum as tenants, while highlighting the significant power, water and cooling demands associated with advanced computing facilities.
New York Senate candidates Robert Rolison and Lisa Kaul discussed data center policy and local impacts during a Dutchess County business forum. They addressed the East Fishkill data center moratorium and concerns about electricity, water, noise and ecological impacts, while both supported IBM's $2.5 billion quantum computing project in Poughkeepsie.
Blackstart Digital has agreed to acquire the former IBM Almaden Research Center in South San Jose and plans to expand its existing data center capacity, subject to power availability and environmental review. Residents and environmental groups oppose the rezoning and are concerned about impacts on surrounding serpentine grasslands, wildlife habitat, noise, emissions and open space.
An editorial clarifies that the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) in Chicago is not a data center, addressing public confusion and opposition driven by fears of AI and data center development. The article highlights IQMP's economic benefits and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Paul Vallas argues that Chicago is at risk of missing significant economic and educational opportunities tied to AI and data center development. He highlights growing opposition to the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park and Chicago Public Schools' hesitation to adopt AI tools like Google Gemini. Vallas emphasizes the need for Chicago to leverage its industrial land and freshwater access to become a tech hub, criticizing current leadership's potential to bench the city in the AI revolution.
A letter to the editor criticizes San José's proposed rezoning of the former IBM Almaden Research Center, warning it could enable major development without full environmental review. The author urges the City Council to reconsider the plan and ensure promised open space protection. Data centers are highlighted as a key driver for commercial real estate development in the area.
The San Jose City Council voted 9-2 to rezone two sections of the former IBM Almaden Research Center despite significant local opposition. The rezoning designates 35.1 acres for "industrial park zoning district" and 565.1 acres for "open space zoning district", paving the way for potential redevelopment of the research center site, including possible data center use, while preserving surrounding land. Residents expressed concerns about the speed of the decision and the potential for industrial development, including data centers, in the area.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faced pressure from anti-data center activists at a rally on the South Side, who expressed dissatisfaction with his stance on the "Quantum Shore" development. While the Mayor signed an executive order to strictly regulate data center construction and called for a moratorium, activists demand a halt to the project, despite a developer's commitment not to build a data center in the first phase. The project, championed by Governor JB Pritzker, includes anchor tenants IBM and PsiQuantum, and is set to bring significant economic impact to the city.
Mayor Brandon Johnson faced strong opposition at a town hall meeting in South Chicago regarding his support for the Quantum Shore megadevelopment, which includes a hyperscale data center. Residents called for permits to be reversed, citing environmental concerns and potential utility cost increases. Johnson reiterated his call for a moratorium on new data centers and highlighted an executive order strengthening regulatory processes.
The San Jose City Council is set to consider updated zoning for the 687-acre former IBM Almaden Research Center site. The proposed changes would designate portions for industrial park use, potentially opening the door for various developments, including data centers. Local residents have raised concerns about the rezoning being on the consent calendar and are requesting a more thorough public discussion.
The Jehovah's Witnesses purchased a former IBM campus in Warwick, Orange County, New York, which includes a 433,000-square-foot data center. The organization has not yet disclosed its plans for the facility, including whether it will continue operating the data center. The acquisition occurs as New York recently enacted a statewide moratorium on new data center construction, prompted by concerns over energy and water consumption.
DartPoints clarified its intent to update an existing Lexmark data center in Lexington, Kentucky, rather than build a new large facility, as the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission prepares to vote on new zoning rules that would ban large data centers. The company emphasized its commitment to local needs, reduced environmental impact, and community engagement amidst an active moratorium. The project is currently on hold due to a temporary moratorium passed by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council.
Governor Kathy Hochul's executive order pausing new data center construction in New York's Capital Region has sparked debate regarding the area's role in the AI revolution. Critics warn of economic slowdown, while proponents cite concerns over electricity bills, grid stability, and environmental impact. A study suggests the region can maintain AI leadership by focusing on semiconductor manufacturing and preparing businesses for AI adoption.
Seattle has enacted legislation, including a moratorium and new power rates, to limit new data centers within its city limits. However, Tukwila's industrial park already hosts 18 data centers that are largely unaffected by Seattle's new rules. A tour of DataBank's facility in Tukwila highlighted its closed-loop cooling system and sparked debate over data center water and energy use, with conflicting views from the company, Seattle City Light, and an academic expert.
Lexington residents expressed strong opposition to data center developments at a packed town hall meeting. The city council recently enacted a four-month moratorium on data center permits after learning about a private sale of a Lexmark property to Dallas-based Dart Point for a hyperscale data center project. Concerns were raised about the impact on health and the environment, and the adequacy of the current moratorium.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission is set to discuss data center regulations, including a proposed zoning text amendment, following the recent enactment of a moratorium on new data centers. This expedited discussion was prompted by DartPoints' acquisition of a former Lexmark data center, leading the County Council to swiftly implement new rules.
Lexington officials, including Mayor Linda Gorton and Councilmember Tyler Morton, are expressing concerns about data center development after DartPoints acquired a former Lexmark data center property with plans for expansion. The city has stated it will not provide financial incentives for the project and is reviewing existing regulations, with a proposed zoning amendment to define and restrict major data centers in certain industrial districts. Officials cite minimal job creation, potential utility cost increases, and impacts on neighborhoods and infrastructure as reasons for stricter controls.
A former Lexmark and IBM data center campus in Lexington, Kentucky, has been sold to Dallas-based data center operator DartPoints for $29 million. DartPoints plans to expand the facility significantly, increasing its power capacity to meet growing demand for AI and cloud services. The existing electrical infrastructure and data-center zoning are expected to facilitate redevelopment.
Activists are planning a rally in Lansing, Michigan on December 16th to call for a statewide moratorium on new artificial intelligence data centers. The rally is a bipartisan effort to oppose data center development, with concerns around wasted land and water resources, corporate handouts, and a lack of transparency in the approval process. Organizers are demanding no secret deals between utilities, developers, AI companies, and government, as well as slowing down approvals and providing more public oversight.
The video provides an overview of data centers, including their definition, size, and power consumption. It mentions a proposal for a data center facility in Hermantown, Minnesota, and notes that while data centers exist in Minnesota, no hyperscale data centers are currently operating in the state.