Learn more about data centers here! Below are answers to some of the common questions about data centers and Project Red Clay.
Cloverleaf Infrastructure develops sites needed to support the fast-growing digital economy, and we believe essential infrastructure should deliver lasting value to the places that host it. In partnership with local communities, Cloverleaf develops sites for large technology companies that build and operate data centers — the facilities that store and process information for the internet, cloud services, and online tools you use every day. We are proud to create construction and permanent jobs and deliver other benefits for the communities in which our development projects are located.
Cloverleaf engages openly with local governments, stakeholders, and community members throughout the development process. As project plans come together, we ensure that information is widely accessible, including through a project website, at voluntary community meetings, and through formal local processes, such as public hearings. Additionally, contact information for each project is provided to ensure that a representative of Cloverleaf is available to answer specific questions or concerns.
Yes. All agreements are binding on the owner or operator of each project. The owner is required to meet every community obligation made during the development period, including complying with development agreements and meeting the standards set through project approvals.
Cloverleaf’s founders helped start and grow what is now the data center industry in the United States and around the world. Those projects have created thousands of jobs and resulted in significant direct investment in communities. The leadership team includes:
Data centers are secure buildings filled with computer servers that store, process, and move data around the world. They are where the internet lives. Instead of information being stored on your phone or computer alone, data centers safely store it and make sure it’s available whenever you need it.
A simple example of how everyday life relies on data centers is taking a photo on a smartphone and having it automatically back up to cloud storage (like Apple iCloud or Google Photos).
While that photo feels like it is stored “in the air,” it is actually transmitted through the internet to a physical server located in a data center, where it is stored, organized, and protected so you can view it later from any device.
These facilities power almost everything we do in today’s world – banking, healthcare, education, farming technology, government services and business operations all depend on them. As more homes, farms, and businesses rely on digital tools, the need for reliable, domestic data centers grows.
A few more examples:
Data centers are built to last for decades, and the buildings themselves don’t become obsolete when technology evolves. The building, electrical systems, cooling infrastructure, and fiber connections are all designed for long-term use. As servers and computer software get faster and more efficient, operators can simply replace the equipment inside the existing structure. Because of this, data centers can remain productive for decades, providing steady tax revenue and jobs for local communities.
Every data center operator designs their facilities differently, but most data center buildings are 400,000 to 1,000,000 square feet. Hyperscale data centers are typically set up like a campus with several data center buildings with associated supporting structures such as offices and warehouse space for storing equipment.
Water use is one of the most common questions communities ask about data centers. Our data centers deploy the latest data center cooling technology by utilizing a closed-loop cooling system, which requires a one-time fill and therefore uses significantly less water than older and less advanced data centers. For the data centers Cloverleaf builds, day-to-day water use is primarily for domestic purposes, which includes sinks, toilets, kitchens, sprinkler systems, etc., using about as much water as a typical office building.
Our data centers pay for ALL water infrastructure upgrades needed to support the site, at no cost to the community.
A closed-loop cooling system reuses the same cooling fluid repeatedly inside sealed pipes. It doesn’t mix with outside air, which means nothing from the outside – like dust or contaminants – can get in. This helps keep the system clean, reliable, and efficient.
The equipment works a lot like the heating and cooling system in a home, just much larger. It includes parts such as coils, compressors, and fans, which are all designed by licensed engineers in the state. Before any system like this is built, safety experts make sure there are strong protections in place to keep workers, nearby residents, and the environment safe.
All fluids used in industrial operations are contained through several layers of protection to prevent leaks and releases. These safety mechanisms are designed by registered professional engineers to meet federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Cooling water or other processing fluids are kept onsite and never discharged into the ground.
Data centers are designed with multiple layers of fire protection and have advanced fire detection and suppression systems that can quickly isolate and extinguish any potential fires to prevent harm to people and equipment. These systems use sensors to identify heat or smoke early to ensure fast response and minimal damage. Emergency response procedures and local fire departments will also be deployed, if needed, to ensure safety.
Facilities are designed to run with minimal routine emissions during normal operation. Backup generators, which run infrequently for testing or emergencies, are subject to strict emissions standards set by federal law.
Advanced cooling systems are also engineered to be efficient and environmentally responsible, with low-emission designs and careful management of refrigerants. Overall, modern data centers are built and operated to limit local air quality impacts and meet or exceed environmental regulations.
State and local laws and regulations hold Cloverleaf projects accountable. Failure to comply with environmental standards or limits can lead to penalties, corrective action, or suspended permits.
Data centers are among the most secure commercial buildings. They are designed to protect the equipment inside, which means they include controlled access, 24/7 monitoring, reinforced construction, and multiple layers of physical security.
Cloverleaf projects are designed so that residents and small businesses do not shoulder higher electric costs due to the project’s development. The data center commits to paying for project-specific power infrastructure and upgrades needed for operations, directly from local power companies.
Required power studies determine what transmission upgrades, if any, are needed to serve the site. The data center will pay for any transmission upgrades that are identified to connect the project to the grid. The studies determine whether additional generation, transmission, or other system upgrades are needed. Any project-specific upgrades identified through that process would be addressed in coordination with the utility and applicable regulators, and would be paid in full by the data center.
No. Cloverleaf works to cover the cost of any additional infrastructure needed for a project. These details are outlined upfront through agreements with local governments and utility providers.
We also conduct tax impact studies to compare the project’s expected tax revenue with any infrastructure needs. The goal is to ensure a net financial benefit to the community, while responsibly planning and paying for any required upgrades.
A data center represents a significant local economic opportunity. This includes taxable investment that can generate substantial tax revenue for the host community. Those revenues, typically millions of dollars over the life of the facility, can help support local priorities such as infrastructure, government and community services like first responders and schools.
In addition to tax revenue, Cloverleaf invests in communities through charitable donations to organizations that support community initiatives, such as emergency services, education and workforce development initiatives, grants to community-serving organizations and utility assistance and weatherization to reduce household energy bills. Funding is directed in coordination with local stakeholders to reflect community priorities.
SHORT-TERM JOBS: During the construction phase, a data center typically creates over 1,000 construction jobs.
LONG-TERM JOBS: The total number of long-term jobs depends on the ultimate size of the facility. Cloverleaf works on preparing sites for mid-to-size data centers that, once operational, employ from 50 to 300 or more full-time workers. These full-time jobs are high-paying positions such as data center technicians, network engineers, and IT support staff that often do not require four-year university degrees. A local workforce is preferred, and hiring is frequently done through local training programs funded by the data center operator.
Cloverleaf projects conduct noise analysis to understand existing ambient conditions. The campus seeks to minimize noise generated on site and comply with applicable local noise requirements to neighboring properties by implementing setbacks and may also deploy vegetation, berms, or sound walls if needed.
During construction, traffic levels increase around the site. The data center works with local, County, and state officials and engineers as needed to plan road use and routing as well as determine any road improvements needed during or post construction. The project works with local officials to pay for required improvements or to address impacts during construction.
Cloverleaf projects incorporate best-in-class Dark Sky lighting practices, which include full cut-off fixtures, minimal overlay lighting, directional lighting, warm color temperatures, and other features. These practices can reduce light emissions by 99%. Berms, trees, and other landscaping features can minimize further visual impact. Data centers do not cause ground vibrations.
Project Red Clay has responded to recent community questions.
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