This Week in Data Center News: 6.20.2025

The data center industry is growing swiftly. Read on as LandGate offers a brief overview of some significant updates from the past week in the data center sector, highlighting news from Ardent in Montana, TerraPower in Wyoming, Microsoft in Washington, Grindcap in Georgia, and Aligned Data Centers in Ohio.

Ardent announces 596 acre data Center in Great Falls, Montana

A proposed hyperscale data center in Great Falls, known as Project Cardinal, could transform the local economy by creating significant job opportunities and boosting investments. Planned by national developer Ardent, the center would cover 569 acres near Malmstrom Air Force Base, with facilities to store and manage vast digital data. Once fully operational, it could provide 150-200 high-paying tech jobs and up to 2,000 construction jobs during its development phases.

One key challenge remains in securing the necessary 600 megawatts of power, with approvals anticipated to take over a year. Brett Doney, CEO of the Great Falls Development Alliance, emphasized the potential benefits beyond jobs, including a strengthened tax base and local economic growth. Despite being in early planning stages, the project is seen as a promising opportunity to establish Great Falls as a growing tech hub.

TerraPower receives $650M for a Natrium Nuclear Reactor to power data centers

Bill Gates’ TerraPower has secured $650 million in new funding, with support from Nvidia’s NVentures, HD Hyundai, and Gates himself. This brings TerraPower's private financing total to over $1.4 billion, complemented by $2 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, for a combined $3.4 billion. The financing will accelerate the development of TerraPower's Natrium nuclear reactor, which incorporates innovative sodium cooling and molten salt heat storage technologies for enhanced safety and efficiency.

The first Natrium reactor is being constructed at a retiring coal plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, with plans for operation by 2030. Notable features include a scalable 345-megawatt reactor paired with a 1-gigawatt-hour thermal storage system to meet peak energy demands. TerraPower aims to position nuclear energy as a low-carbon, 24/7 power solution, particularly for energy-intensive AI and data infrastructures.

Tech giants like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon are increasingly exploring nuclear energy to power data centers, complementing renewable energy sources. TerraPower’s partnerships with global manufacturers, including HD Hyundai and Spain's ENSA, will aid in scaling its advanced nuclear technology globally. The project is seen as a pivotal step toward a new generation of clean, compact, and efficient nuclear energy, blending innovation with sustainability to meet rising global power demands.

Chelan PUD signs deal to supply hydropower to Microsoft data center in Washington State

Chelan PUD commissioners have approved a power contract to supply a new Microsoft data center campus in Washington State. The agreement includes surplus hydropower at market-based pricing for up to 18 megawatts through December, with future energy sources undecided for the 2026-2040 period. Microsoft has invested $86.5 million in building the necessary infrastructure, including the Jumpoff Ridge substation. Chelan PUD’s large-load framework ensures reliability, compliance with carbon-free standards, and cost coverage by large-load customers like Microsoft.

Grindcap gains county approval for a 108 MW campus outside Atlanta, Georgia on a previous cell tower site

Grind Capital Group has received zoning approval for a 108MW hyperscale-class data center campus in Marietta, Georgia, located at 1751 Bells Ferry Road. The 31-acre site, currently housing a cell tower and billboards, will be transformed into a 347,200 sq ft facility featuring two two-story buildings. DC-1 will cover 213,600 sq ft with a 48MW IT load, and DC-2 will comprise 133,600 sq ft with a 24MW IT load. The project includes closed-loop cooling systems, an on-site substation, and visual shielding through grading and tree planting. Near I-75 and major power lines, the campus offers excellent connectivity and energy access with plans to relocate the existing cell tower near the entrance.

Aligned Data Centers purchase 200 acre power plant site for future data center development in Coshocton, Ohio

Aligned Data Centers has purchased a portion of the Conesville Industrial Park from the Frontier Group of Companies. This acquisition may lead to the development of a new data center, marking Aligned's second brownfield redevelopment project in Ohio. Known for transforming industrial sites into sustainable data centers, Aligned has completed similar projects in locations like Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Chicago.

The Conesville Industrial Park, a former American Electric Power plant site, has undergone significant remediation and infrastructure upgrades since its purchase by FGC in 2020. This 2,500-acre site offers opportunities for a wide range of industries, including automotive, energy, and logistics, and has received notable interest from developers.

Tiffany Swigert, Executive Director of the Coshocton Port Authority, highlights the vital role data centers play in the modern digital economy, supporting essential services like telehealth, social media, and online business operations. Aligned’s potential development at Conesville underscores Coshocton’s readiness to thrive in the technology-driven era.

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