What community benefits will Project Red Clay bring to Lowndes County?
Cloverleaf has announced a community benefits commitment of up to $10 million with the Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF), which is tied to the proposed Project Red Clay facility. This funding, directed by the CACF, will directly support priorities identified in collaboration with local leaders, such as emergency services, workforce training, and programs that help support community needs. This money is being donated for the sole purpose of supporting local initiatives that will improve the lives of residents here.
Here is a quote from Burton Crenshaw about the community benefits commitment and partnership: “This partnership with the Cloverleaf Project Red Clay Fund allows us to directly invest in grassroots organizations that are making a tangible, lasting difference in Lowndes County,” said Burton Crenshaw, president of the Central Alabama Community Foundation. “From providing dedicated mentorship in our high schools to helping families keep the lights on and their homes safe, these grants reflect our commitment to strengthening this community from the ground up. We look forward to providing more grants from this initiative over the next several months.”
When was the initial $1M made available to CACF for grants, and what is the list of current commitments for that funding?
The first $1M has been awarded to CACF in 2026, with the remaining $9 million becoming available for distribution once specific project milestones are achieved. CACF determines the recipients of the pledged funding, which takes time to ensure that the projects and organizations selected will have a meaningful impact on Lowndes County. Of the initial $1M grant, the following funding has been awarded so far:
- $50,000 to Hope Inspired Ministries
- $75,000 to Organized Community Action Program (OCAP)
- $10,860 to the Calhoun Fire Department
- $5,426 to the Hicks Hill / Black Belt Volunteer Fire Department
The remaining balance of the initial $1M has not yet been allocated or awarded. Community organizations who are interested in grant funding can apply via this link: Cloverleaf Project Red Clay Grant Fund – Central Alabama Community Foundation.
What is your response to the transparency concerns raised by the Lowndes County community?
We have heard this concern, and we understand the frustration. We intentionally chose to start talking with the community early, before every detail of Project Red Clay was finalized, because we didn’t want residents to be the last to know. That means we haven’t had answers to every question yet, but we have made a commitment to share information as development progresses and additional decisions are made. We will continue to share updates on our website and the project Facebook page.
Who is involved in Project Red Clay? Why are there different LLCs?
Cloverleaf Infrastructure owns 100% of Sandstone Cliffs DevCo, LLC, which is a development entity Cloverleaf set up to develop Project Red Clay in Lowndes County. Using a single purpose entity for each project is standard practice in real estate and infrastructure development. Cloverleaf remains the sole owner and is accountable for Sandstone Cliffs DevCo’s obligations related to this project.
Lowndesboro has a known water shortage and poor water treatment facilities. Is Project Red Clay pulling from that limited water source?
Project Red Clay sits within the service territory of the Pintlala Water System. Project Red Clay will be paying directly for any upgrades needed to Pintlala’s Water System to serve the project. The project has requested capacity for up to 100,000 gallons of water per day. Most of that amount would only be needed to do the initial fill of the cooling system. Because the cooling system is a closed loop (meaning the same water recirculates instead of being constantly replaced), day-to-day water use is expected to be much lower, similar to what a typical office building uses.
Why did you choose this exact location as the project site?
The proposed site is on Alabama Highway 21, south of US Highway 80 (northeast Lowndes County). We chose this site because of its proximity to key infrastructure like major highways and the existing transmission corridor that runs through the property. Additionally, the property allows for adequate spacing and existing forestation that creates natural buffering, limiting visibility from neighboring roadways and properties.
Has Project Red Clay submitted any applications to state agencies?
Project Red Clay is still in development, and through that development process we have begun applying for permits needed to construct the project.
Can you provide the name of the end user yet?
An end user for the project has not been announced at this stage because one has not been finalized, but we will share more as the project reaches that milestone. We want to ensure that the community remains informed through regular updates on our project website and Facebook page, and we look forward to maintaining an open dialogue as plans progress.
What is the long-term impact of large data centers?
There are so many positive impacts and very few negatives compared to other heavy industrial uses for a site like this! Here are a few recent articles about the positive long-term impacts for your reference:
‘Brand-new everything’: How data centers transformed this small town’s economy | CNN Business