The bibliography
Every claim,
with its receipt.
This is the whole inventory behind every number on this site, grouped by how much weight it can carry.
How to read this page
A record you can trust is one that tells you how sure it is. Nothing here is presented at a higher confidence than it has earned, and figures that cut against us stay on the page.
- Verified
- Traced to a primary document or a named publisher, and checked.
- Reported
- Published by a named outlet or stated on the record, and attributed as such.
- Disputed
- More than one figure exists. We keep every version with its date and speaker instead of averaging them.
- Unverified
- A lead we are carrying openly at a lower grade until we can put the primary document in your hands.
- Superseded
- A retired figure, kept visible with its date so the trajectory of the claim stays legible.
- Not disclosed
- A genuine unknown. The project has not released it, so we render a labeled gap rather than a guess.
53 entries
Verified
Traced to a primary document or a named publisher, and checked.
Acreage reported under option
VerifiedA June 2026 coalition assessment reported up to approximately 1,700 acres under option, including a power substation site: an 800-acre parcel with options on roughly 200 more and interest in roughly 700 more.
NRDC/SELC assessment, NRDC / Southern Environmental Law Center (2026-06-29). Meeting summary and 2026-05-27 assessment
Large-load review threshold
VerifiedAct 2026-610 defines a large-load data-center customer as one with expected peak demand of at least 150 megawatts on contiguous parcels, triggering Public Service Commission review.
SB270 enrolled, enacted as Act 2026-610, Alabama Legislature (2026-10-01). Ala. Code § 37-4-22.1 — view source
Act 2026-610 PSC review
VerifiedSB270, enacted as Act 2026-610, adds Ala. Code § 37-4-22.1 effective October 1, 2026. It requires the Public Service Commission to find that a large-load data-center contract recovers incremental retail-electric-service costs from the data-center customer and promotes positive benefits to other retail customers.
SB270 enrolled, Alabama Legislature (2026-10-01). Ala. Code § 37-4-22.1 — view source
PSC Docket 33709
VerifiedOn July 7, 2026 the Alabama Public Service Commission opened Docket 33709, a generic proceeding reviewing Alabama Power large-load data-center contracts.
Docket 33709 public comment and reply information, Alabama Public Service Commission (2026-07-07). Generic proceeding — view source
Records request filed
VerifiedOn July 27, 2026 the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Natural Resources Defense Council, on behalf of the Alabama Rivers Alliance and Protect Lowndes County, filed a public-records request with the Lowndes County Commission under Ala. Code § 36-12-40. It seeks documents on confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, site-selection and economic-development records, utility and infrastructure planning, incentive and tax-abatement discussions, the Lowndes County Economic Development Commission’s governance and its relationship with the county, property transactions tied to the project, environmental and noise studies, permit applications and permits issued, and the minutes of every meeting where the project was discussed.
Records Request for Documents related to Project Red Clay Data Center, Southern Environmental Law Center and Natural Resources Defense Council (2026-07-27). Letter to County Administrator Kimberly McGrew-West — view source
Selma to Montgomery Trail
VerifiedThe site lies along U.S. Highway 80, the route of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.
Rural Alabama Community Opposes Hyperscale Data Center, Inside Climate News (2026-06-10). Master Evidence Dossier citing ICN — view source
Robert Gardner Farm, Campsite 3
VerifiedThe Robert Gardner Farm is Campsite 3 of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march, designated by the National Park Service. Inside Climate News reports the site as just over a mile away.
Robert Gardner Farm, Campsite 3, National Park Service (2026-06-10). NPS designation — view source
Title VI environmental-justice settlement
VerifiedOn May 4, 2023 the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services announced an interim resolution agreement with the Alabama Department of Public Health, the first federal environmental-justice Title VI action of its kind. It was terminated on April 11, 2025.
Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services announce interim resolution agreement, U.S. Department of Justice (2023-05-04). DOJ/HHS press release — view source
Troy, Illinois site rejected
VerifiedCloverleaf Infrastructure proposed a large data center in Troy, Illinois, with concept sites revealed in January 2026. City officials rejected the company’s preferred concept site in early February after resident opposition, and on February 10, 2026 hundreds packed a public information meeting at Triad High School, where company representatives took questions for hours.
Hundreds pack Troy data center meeting held by developer, as residents push back on controversial project, First Alert 4, KMOV St. Louis (2026-02-11). Public meeting coverage — view source
Edwardsville status
VerifiedAs of March 2026, Cloverleaf had provided Edwardsville, Illinois a conceptual site plan but had never filed a formal proposal, and the company said conversations had gone quiet while it waited on utility information. No withdrawal has been reported.
Metro East data center talks raise questions about residents, economic development, The Alestle, SIUE (2026-03-04). Company and city statements — view source
Wrightstown advisory referendum
VerifiedMonths after stating it would not pursue data centers in Greenleaf, Cloverleaf engaged with the adjacent Village of Wrightstown. The village board voted unanimously in late May 2026 to place an advisory referendum on the August 11, 2026 ballot asking whether the village should support utility infrastructure for potential large-scale data center projects. The referendum is non-binding and names no specific project or company.
Referendum on data centers to be held in Wrightstown, Wisconsin, DataCenterDynamics (2026-06-05). Referendum confirmation — view source
Wrightstown one-year moratorium
VerifiedIn early July 2026, after a resident petition gathered more than 300 signatures, Wrightstown trustees unanimously adopted a one-year moratorium on data center projects, effective immediately, while the August 11 advisory referendum proceeds.
Wrightstown places moratorium on data centers, WFRV Local 5 (2026-07-07). Moratorium adoption — view source
Frenchtown Township proposal
VerifiedCloverleaf proposed a roughly 200-acre, four-building data center campus on a former golf course site along I-75 in Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan, reported in November 2025. A community informational meeting that month drew a large crowd, with many residents opposed on water, energy, and noise grounds.
Cloverleaf targets 200-acre data center development in Michigan, DataCenterDynamics (2025-11-19). Proposal coverage — view source
Frenchtown six-month moratorium
VerifiedOn April 21, 2026, the Frenchtown Charter Township board voted 6-0 to adopt a six-month moratorium on data center and other high-resource-demand uses while it reviews its zoning ordinance.
Frenchtown Charter Township Board Workshop Meeting Minutes, April 21, 2026, Frenchtown Charter Township (2026-04-21). Zoning Ordinance Amendment 300-19 — view source
Michigan project code names
VerifiedA Michigan data center census identifies Cloverleaf’s Frenchtown Township proposal by the code name Project Cherry Blossom and its withdrawn Dundee Township proposal by the code name Project Ironwood.
How many AI data centers are planned in Michigan? We counted., Gander Newsroom (2026-03-02). Data center census, updated 2026-07-23 — view source
Port Washington affiliate entity
VerifiedCloverleaf’s Port Washington, Wisconsin campus was developed through an affiliate named Red Granite DevCo LLC, per city council agendas, and the company’s own materials describe the project as Project Red Granite.
Cloverleaf reveals plans for 1,000-acre data center campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin, DataCenterDynamics (2025-01-09). Entity named from council agendas — view source
Monroe County, Georgia campus
VerifiedCloverleaf, through an affiliate named Rum Creek DevCo LLC, is developing the phased Rumble Technology Campus off Rumble Road in Monroe County, Georgia, first rezoned in November 2024 at roughly 4.2 million square feet. In mid-2025 the company sought roughly 325 additional contiguous acres, bringing the campus to about 1,225 acres.
Cloverleaf seeks to expand Rumble Technology Campus in Georgia, DataCenterDynamics (2025-07-29). Expansion proposal coverage — view source
Monroe County expansion approved
VerifiedMonroe County commissioners approved the 328.3-acre expansion rezoning of the Rumble Technology Campus on September 9, 2025, with one commissioner voting no and another recusing from the vote.
County approves rezoning of 328 acres on Rumble Road for tech campus expansion, WGXA (2025-09-09). Rezoning vote coverage — view source
Monroe County declines NDA
VerifiedOn November 18, 2025, Monroe County commissioners unanimously declined to sign a nondisclosure agreement with Google over the Rumble Road data center project, after the county attorney advised that signing would conflict with Georgia Open Records Act obligations.
Monroe County commissioners vote no on NDA with Google on Rumble Road data center, WGXA (2025-11-18). NDA vote coverage — view source
County-domain LCEDC roster, as read
VerifiedAs read on July 28, 2026, the LCEDC page on the county-government domain lowndes-al.gov lists five officers: Thomas Ellis, Chairman (Priester’s Pecans); Commissioner Charlie King Jr., Vice Chairman; Aubrey Carter, Secretary (Alabama Power); John Lyon, Treasurer (BancorpSouth); and Jim Byard Jr., Economic Developer. The page footer reads 2023, and the Treasurer’s bank is given as BancorpSouth, a name retired in an October 2021 merger.
Lowndes County Economic Development Commission, lowndes-al.gov, Lowndes County government website (2026-07-28). Officer listing — view source
LCEDC own-site roster, as read
VerifiedAs read on July 28, 2026, the LCEDC’s own website growlowndescounty.org lists five officers on its about page: Thomas Ellis, Chairman (Priester’s Pecans); Commissioner Charlie King Jr., Vice-Chairman; Aubrey Carter, Secretary (Alabama Power); John Lyon, Treasurer (Cadence Bank); and Jim Byard Jr., Economic Developer. The site footer reads 2026.
About the LCEDC, growlowndescounty.org, the LCEDC’s own website (2026-07-28). Officer listing — view source
King listed as LCEDC Vice Chairman
VerifiedAs of July 28, 2026, both the LCEDC’s own website and the LCEDC page on the county-government domain list Commissioner Charlie King Jr. as Vice Chairman of the LCEDC. King chairs the Lowndes County Commission, the body that would vote on any tax abatement for the project the LCEDC is recruiting. The dual role is published in writing by both official sources.
LCEDC officer listings, growlowndescounty.org and lowndes-al.gov, LCEDC and Lowndes County government websites (2026-07-28). Officer listings — view source
BancorpSouth became Cadence Bank
VerifiedBancorpSouth Bank and Cadence Bancorporation completed their merger on October 29, 2021, and the combined bank took the Cadence Bank name and the CADE ticker.
BancorpSouth Bank and Cadence Bancorporation Complete Their Merger, Cadence Bank investor relations (2021-10-29). Merger completion announcement — view source
Cloverleaf capital raise
VerifiedCloverleaf raised $300 million in July 2024, led by NGP’s Sustainable Infrastructure platform and Sandbrook Capital, which is anchored by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
Wilson Sonsini Advises Cloverleaf on $300 Million Capital Raise, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (2024-07-01). Transaction announcement — view source
Greenleaf, Wisconsin withdrawal
VerifiedCloverleaf withdrew from Greenleaf, Wisconsin in January 2026. Chief Development Officer Aaron Bilyeu stated: "After speaking to leadership at the Village of Greenleaf and the Town of Wrightstown, Cloverleaf will not be pursuing datacenters."
Cloverleaf backs out of data center project in Greenleaf, Wisconsin, DataCenterDynamics (2026-01-01). Bilyeu verbatim statement — view source
Dundee, Michigan withdrawal
VerifiedCloverleaf dropped its initial plans for a Michigan data center in October 2025 after the Dundee council voted to block the water supply. The company acknowledged it "should have done more public communication and listening."
Cloverleaf drops initial plans for Michigan data center; council votes to block water supply, DataCenterDynamics (2025-10-01). Company statement — view source
Port Washington flip
VerifiedCloverleaf assembled and annexed 1,900 acres in Port Washington, Wisconsin in May 2025, then handed the package to Vantage Data Centers for an $8 billion campus. This is the assemble-and-sell model completing its cycle.
Port Washington approves $8 billion Vantage Data Centers project, BizTimes (2025-05-01). Project approval — view source
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin moratorium
VerifiedAfter Cloverleaf approached landowners in Mishicot, Two Rivers, and Two Creeks townships with purchase offers, the Manitowoc County Board voted unanimously on April 29, 2026 to impose an 18-month moratorium on data-center siting. Cloverleaf’s Chief Development Officer responded publicly to the vote.
Manitowoc County Board votes unanimously to impose 18-month moratorium on data centers, WTAQ (2026-04-29). County board vote — view source
Piedmont, Oklahoma rezoning tabled
VerifiedThe Piedmont Planning Commission voted on June 1, 2026 to table Cloverleaf’s proposed rezoning of roughly 633 acres for a data-center campus, reported as "Project Open Sky," referring the matter to the city council for further study on relocating the city’s industrial zoning district. A second, unrelated developer’s rezoning was tabled in the same action.
Piedmont planning commission tables data center decisions, calls for deeper study, KFOR (2026-06-02). Planning commission vote — view source
Columbia County, Georgia: conditions, and a denial for lack of a named tenant
VerifiedOn February 4, 2026 the Columbia County, Georgia Board of Commissioners approved Cloverleaf’s "Pumpkin Center" rezoning, roughly 417 acres in Harlem, 4-1, with conditions: buffers increased from 250 to 500 feet, berms raised from 6 to 12 feet and planted with evergreens, a 60-decibel noise cap at the property line, and a ban on residential development east of Highway 221. The same day, on the same agenda, the board denied a separate, unrelated 944-acre "Byrd Farms" rezoning 4-1, with commissioners citing the absence of any identified end user as too speculative to approve.
Columbia County Board of Commissioners approve two out of three data center projects, Byrd Farm voted down, The Augusta Press (2026-02-04). Board of Commissioners vote — view source
Michigan FOIA: the company’s own standard
VerifiedIn an email released under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, Cloverleaf Development Principal Michael Evans wrote of a separate site: "We made the decision not to pursue it, because Cloverleaf will not work in communities where this type of development is unwelcome or the development does not match the existing use for the land. That is a decision we will make ten times out of ten."
Cloverleaf vs. Other Developments (Draft), email released under Michigan FOIA, Village of Dundee / Dundee Township, Michigan (2025-09-23). Email to Dundee officials, cc Aaron Bilyeu
Edwardsville: public denial, private record
VerifiedIn Edwardsville, Illinois, two dozen emails obtained through public records showed nearly a year of detailed Cloverleaf discussions about land surveys, special-use permitting, and engineering, while city officials publicly told residents there was no formal proposal.
Edwardsville Officials Assured Residents the City Had No Formal Proposal For a Data Center, But City Emails Tell a Fuller Story, Illinois Answers Project (2026-02-21). Public-records investigation — view source
Wrightstown: months before residents knew
VerifiedEmail records show the Wrightstown, Wisconsin village administrator was in talks with Cloverleaf beginning January 2026, months before residents were informed. A resident said the board was misleading by not disclosing the communications.
Wrightstown works with Cloverleaf on possible data center, NBC 26 (Green Bay) (2026-05-01). Email records — view source
Private meetings acknowledged
VerifiedAt the June 3, 2026 community open house, Cloverleaf’s Vice President of Community Engagement acknowledged, in answer to a resident’s question, that the company had held private meetings with the Lowndes County Commission and the Lowndes County Economic Development Commission.
Cloverleaf community open house, Hayneville Middle School, Account of coalition members present (2026-06-03). Open house, 2026-06-03
What the company looks for
VerifiedDescribing what Cloverleaf looks for in a host community, the Chief Development Officer said: "What we typically look for is leadership that is willing to have the conversations and facilitate those conversations."
Cloverleaf Infrastructure officials answer data center questions in Wrightstown, WFRV (2026-05-01). Public listening session — view source
LCEDC contribution-tier board
VerifiedThe Lowndes County Economic Development Commission’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws establish a contribution-tier board structure: a $2,500 annual contribution corresponds to a voting board seat, and a $5,000-or-greater annual contribution corresponds to a seat on the Executive Committee, which the Bylaws authorize to act between full board meetings.
LCEDC Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, Alabama Secretary of State filing, reproduced in the LCEDC Public Inspection Notebook (2013-05-29). Articles Art. 4; Bylaws Art. II Sec. 8
LCEDC governance policies
VerifiedThe LCEDC’s IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 reports $95,733 in revenue, $97,102 in expenses, and $214,386 in assets at year end, with a 13-member volunteer board and no paid employees. Part VI answers four core governance questions in the negative: no written conflict-of-interest policy, no written whistleblower policy, no written document retention and destruction policy, and no compensation process involving independent review.
LCEDC IRS Form 990, fiscal year ending 2024-09-30 (EIN 46-3011080), Internal Revenue Service, via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (2024-09-30). Part VI Section B, governance policies — view source
Subsidy per data-center job
VerifiedA national review of data-center subsidy disclosure found that no state reports both jobs promised and jobs actually created. Illinois averages $1.4 million in public subsidy per data-center job, and Georgia, Virginia, and Texas each forgo more than $1 billion a year in data-center tax breaks.
Cloudy Data, Costly Deals: How Poorly States Disclose Data Center Subsidies, Good Jobs First (2026-01-01). National subsidy review — view source
Ratepayer impact, Virginia
VerifiedThe Virginia State Corporation Commission approved a new large-load electricity rate class for data centers above 25 megawatts, effective January 2027. Reporting attributed an additional $11.24 per month in 2026 for a typical Dominion residential customer to data-center load, and noted PJM capacity-market clearing prices rose sharply for 2025-2026.
Virginia regulators approve new Dominion rates, Inside Climate News (2026-01-07). Rate class approval — view source
Protective rules changed the ask
VerifiedOhio residents pay roughly $16 more per month tied to PJM capacity costs associated with data-center expansion. After Ohio adopted ratemaking provisions similar to Virginia’s, data-center demand requests in the state fell from about 30 gigawatts to about 13 gigawatts.
Data Center Power Demands Are Contributing to Higher Energy Bills, Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2026-01-01). Ratemaking and demand — view source
Generation bought against the forecast
VerifiedIn December 2025 the Alabama Public Service Commission approved Alabama Power’s purchase of the Lindsay Hill natural gas generating station in Billingsley, to address a forecasted surge in data-center electricity demand.
Alabama PSC approves Alabama Power’s request for rate freeze, Alabama Reflector (2025-12-03). PSC approval — view source
Community foundation holding the pledge
VerifiedThe Central Alabama Community Foundation, named as the vehicle for the community-benefit pledge, reports roughly $107 million in charitable assets on its IRS Form 990. The gift-agreement terms with the developer, including administrative-fee structure and disbursement schedule, are not public.
Central Alabama Community Foundation, IRS Form 990 (EIN 63-0842355), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (2026-01-01). Nonprofit Explorer — view source
Noise and air near data centers
VerifiedFirst-person reporting from residents living near hyperscale data centers in Northern Virginia and Michigan documented headaches, vertigo, sleep disturbance, hypertension, and ear pain. Sustained sound above 65 decibels is associated with elevated stress and blood pressure.
Living in Hell: Data Center Neighbors Grapple With Noise, Air Pollution, U.S. News & World Report (2026-04-28). Resident reporting, with EESI on the decibel threshold — view source
Property values: the honest picture
VerifiedEvidence on property values is mixed. A George Mason University study of 2023 home sales found that homes closer to data centers in Northern Virginia tended to sell for higher prices. The authors note this may reflect that region’s pent-up housing demand and may not generalize to rural markets.
Study: Home prices are higher when house is near a data center, George Mason University Schar School (2025-11-01). Schar School study — view source
The Mants family letter
VerifiedThe family of Robert "Bob" Mants Jr., a SNCC field secretary who marched on Bloody Sunday, helped build the Lowndes County Freedom Organization, and later served as a county commissioner, wrote to the Commission on May 24, 2026 opposing the project. The letter describes the area as "sacred ground," warns against "sacrifice zones," states "this land is not disposable," asks whether the company would place such a facility in their own communities, and closes: "Do better."
Letter from the family of Robert Mants Jr. to the Lowndes County Commission, Submitted to the Lowndes County Commission (2026-05-24). Correspondence to the Commission
The Burkville industrial precedent
VerifiedThe Burkville facility at 1 Plastics Drive, operated today as SABIC Innovative Plastics US LLC, spans roughly 6,300 acres less than a mile from the parcel. The EPA lists it as a Clean Air Act major source, an NPDES major source, and a RCRA large-quantity generator. In 2012 the EPA settled a Clean Air Act enforcement case against the Burkville and Mt. Vernon facilities for $1,012,873 in combined civil penalties on a fifteen-count complaint.
EPA enforcement record and facility listings, Burkville, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2012-01-01). ECHO facility record and 2012 settlement
Sanitation agreement terminated
VerifiedThe May 2023 Title VI interim resolution agreement addressing the Lowndes County sanitation crisis was terminated on April 11, 2025.
U.S. Justice Department abandons Lowndes County residents suffering longstanding sewage problems, Equal Justice Initiative (2025-04-11). Termination — view source
The sanitation record
VerifiedThe documented Lowndes County sanitation record includes a 2018 Title VI complaint describing heavy clay soil that prevents septic systems from working and the use of straight pipes for raw sewage discharge; a 2017 visit by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty who described conditions as a human-rights violation; and Baylor University research finding 34 percent of tested residents positive for hookworm.
Documentary record of the Lowndes County sanitation crisis, Earthjustice / CREEJ, United Nations, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (2018-01-01). Compiled documentary record
Communities that paused
VerifiedMultiple communities have adopted pauses. Northampton County, North Carolina adopted a 32-month moratorium in May 2026. Durham, North Carolina adopted a 60-day moratorium. A Manitowoc County, Wisconsin committee recommended a one-year permitting moratorium. Port Washington, Wisconsin voters approved a measure requiring voter approval for data-center tax incentives.
Northampton County adopts a data center pause, North Carolina Health News (2026-05-08). With WRAL, WPR, and MultiState on the other jurisdictions — view source
Residents packed the meeting
VerifiedResidents filled the Charles Smith Building to standing room only for the April 2026 county meeting on the proposed data center.
Residents pack Lowndes County meeting over proposed data center, WSFA 12 (2026-04-29). Meeting coverage — view source
May 26 Commission meeting
VerifiedAt the Lowndes County Commission’s regular public meeting on May 26, 2026 at the Charles Smith Annex in Hayneville, the Chairman stated three times that he would not vote for any thirty-year data-center tax abatement, and volunteered a comparison to the Burkville forty-year abatement. The Vice-Chairman moved to deny any abatement; the Chairman voted no on that motion.
Lowndes County Commission regular public meeting, May 26, 2026, Lowndes County Commission (streamed public recording) (2026-05-26). Approx. 01:40-01:58 of the public recording
The June 3 open house
VerifiedCloverleaf held a come-and-go community open house at Hayneville Middle School on June 3, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with staff at informational tables addressing water, energy, noise, lighting, and economic impact. The event included no formal presentation.
Cloverleaf to hold community open house for Lowndes County data center project, The Lowndes Signal (2026-05-27). Event announcement — view source
How neighbors found out
VerifiedNeighbors of the proposed site learned of an 800-acre data center being pursued in the county through reporting rather than through notice from the county or the developer.
An 800-acre data center is being quietly pushed in Lowndes County. Its neighbors are just finding out, Yellowhammer News (2026-04-01). Opening coverage — view source
36 entries
Reported
Published by a named outlet or stated on the record, and attributed as such.
Built footprint
ReportedThe public site plan describes roughly 3.01 million square feet: four 720,000 sq ft data buildings, one 100,000 sq ft warehouse, and one 30,000 sq ft office.
Rural Alabama Community Opposes Hyperscale Data Center, Inside Climate News (2026-06-10). Company plan reviewed by ICN — view source
Site acreage
ReportedThe public site plan describes approximately 800 acres near U.S. Highway 80 and Alabama Highway 21 in Burkville, about six miles southwest of Montgomery.
An 800-acre data center is being quietly pushed in Lowndes County, Yellowhammer News (2026-04-01). ICN-reviewed company plan — view source
Electrical request
ReportedThe project is reported to have requested roughly 1,500 megawatts from Alabama Power. Study status, ramp schedule, and contract terms are not public.
Rural Alabama Community Opposes Hyperscale Data Center, Inside Climate News (2026-06-10). ICN and public Cloverleaf statements — view source
Water use (developer framing)
ReportedCloverleaf describes closed-loop cooling drawing up to 100,000 gallons per day from the Pintlala Water System, framed as "a one-time fill."
Cloverleaf responds to Lowndes County data center concerns, WSFA 12 (2026-06-04). Cloverleaf statement to ICN and WSFA — view source
Construction jobs
ReportedThe developer describes more than 1,000 construction jobs over three or more years. This figure is consistent across sources.
Project Red Clay, Cloverleaf Infrastructure (2026-07-10). Developer website — view source
Jobs to Lowndes residents
ReportedDr. Regina Moorer, in a Lowndes Signal letter to the editor, estimated roughly 9 permanent positions would go to Lowndes residents "at current capture rates."
Letter to the editor, The Lowndes Signal (2026-04-30). Letter to the editor, late April 2026
Abatement term at issue
ReportedThe abatement at issue is 30 years. Chairman Charlie King committed three times at the May 26, 2026 Commission meeting not to vote for any 30-year abatement.
Stakeholders consider potential data center project, The Lowndes Signal (2026-05-26). Commission meeting — view source
Community benefits
ReportedThe developer describes $10 million for the county over the project lifecycle via the Central Alabama Community Foundation: $1 million upfront and $9 million milestone-gated. Of the balance, $4 million depends on an electric-service contract and PSC approval, and $5 million is payable over five years after construction begins.
Cloverleaf emphasizes data center benefits amid community concerns, The Lowndes Signal (2026-06-01). Developer statements — view source
No abatement request filed
ReportedAs of July 24, 2026, no tax-abatement request had been filed, no future owner or operator had been named, and Cloverleaf had not withdrawn Project Red Clay.
Mystery data center could receive 30-year tax break beside sacred Selma march ground, Yellowhammer News (2026-07-24). Reporting by Sherri Blevins — view source
HB399 abatement cap
ReportedHB399 caps Alabama data-center property-tax abatements at 20 years for any abatement granted on or after January 1, 2027, down from the 30-year ceiling under the 2012 Data Processing Center Act. A further 10 years, to a maximum of 30, is available only where the private user meets the capital-investment thresholds and enters a binding written agreement approved by the Alabama Department of Revenue, the Department of Commerce, and the affected local governing body, committing to qualified local investments. If a material obligation of that agreement is not met, the additional 10 years is revoked and the abated state taxes are repayable with interest. It passed the Legislature unanimously on April 9, 2026 and was sent to the Governor on April 10, 2026.
HB399 Enrolled, Alabama Legislature (2026-04-09). Enrolled text, Sec. 40-9B-3(12) and Sec. 3; sponsor Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena) — view source
Chairman on power bills
ReportedCommission Chairman Charlie King Jr. said of the project in April 2026: "The power bill will not go up. They will pay their own charges."
Mystery data center could receive 30-year tax break beside sacred Selma march ground, Yellowhammer News (2026-07-24). Reporting by Sherri Blevins, quoting an April statement — view source
Noise (company estimate)
ReportedCloverleaf’s Chief Development Officer told WSFA the facility would typically operate under 60 decibels at the property line, comparing the sound to air conditioning, and said the ambient noise would be less than at the June 3 open house.
Cloverleaf responds to Lowndes County data center concerns, WSFA 12 (2026-06-04). Aaron Bilyeu statements — view source
Acoustic roar warning
ReportedA Lowndesboro resident whose career includes more than 30 years building, managing, and operating data centers warned commissioners that nearby residents could experience continuous fan noise known as acoustic roar.
Mystery data center could receive 30-year tax break beside sacred Selma march ground, Yellowhammer News (2026-07-24). Reporting by Sherri Blevins — view source
Records request response due
ReportedAla. Code § 36-12-44(a)(3) requires a written response to a records request within ten working days of receipt. Counting ten working days from the July 27, 2026 email delivery of the request, a response is due on or before Monday, August 10, 2026.
Records Request for Documents related to Project Red Clay Data Center, Southern Environmental Law Center and Natural Resources Defense Council (2026-07-27). Response-deadline provision, citing Ala. Code § 36-12-44(a)(3) — view source
Petition signatures
ReportedA petition opposing the project surpassed 1,000 signatures, more than 10 percent of the county’s population of roughly 9,300, and was presented to the Commission.
More than 1,000 sign petition opposing proposed Lowndes County data center as debate intensifies, WSFA 12 (2026-05-27). Commission meeting coverage — view source
Homes within 2 miles
ReportedProbate Judge Adrian Johnson estimated that 251 homes, roughly 750 people, fall within a two-mile radius of the proposed site.
Lowndes County debates data center project, The Lowndes Signal (2026-04-29). April 28, 2026 Commission meeting coverage — view source
Who attended the open house
ReportedCloverleaf CEO David Berry, Chief Development Officer Aaron Bilyeu, and Development Principal Michael Evans attended the June 3, 2026 open house. A peaceful protest was held outside a law-enforcement perimeter.
Cloverleaf, residents meet at open house, The Lowndes Signal (2026-06-04). Open house coverage — view source
Recusal request
ReportedResidents asked Commission President Thomas Ellis, who also serves on the Pintlala Water Authority board, and Vice President Charlie King Jr. to recuse from votes on the project. The county economic development commission has no written conflict-of-interest policy.
Commission resists transparency amid growing data center opposition, The Lowndes Signal (2026-05-27). Commission meeting coverage — view source
Docket 33709 comment deadlines
ReportedPublic comments in Docket 33709 are due August 6, 2026 and replies August 21, 2026. Reporting confirms the proceeding reviews cost recovery only; it does not cover siting or environmental review for any specific project.
Alabama PSC opens review of data center power contracts, sets August comment deadlines, mynbc15 (2026-07-08). Docket opening coverage — view source
PSC candidate on large-load costs
ReportedSheila McNeil, a candidate for Public Service Commission Place 2, filed formal comments in Docket 33709 arguing that large-load customers, not existing ratepayers, should fund the grid infrastructure their facilities require, and called for public hearings in affected communities.
PSC candidate calls for protections when reviewing data center contracts, Alabama Political Reporter (2026-07-21). Candidate comment filing — view source
Data centers in the governor’s race
ReportedData centers, including Project Red Clay by name, became a topic in Alabama’s 2026 gubernatorial campaign coverage, with candidates offering differing views on state policy toward large-load projects.
Candidates in Alabama’s governor’s race discuss data centers in the state, WSFA 12 (2026-07-24). Campaign coverage — view source
Cloverleaf founder background
ReportedCloverleaf co-founder Brian Janous previously led energy strategy at Microsoft before starting the company.
Vantage explores data center development on Cloverleaf site in Port Washington, Wisconsin, DataCenterDynamics (2025-06-11). Company background — view source
Troy moratorium and 30 MW cap
ReportedTroy’s City Council approved a six-month moratorium on data processing centers by a 6-0 vote on March 16, 2026, following Planning Commission approval on March 12. At a June 2026 mid-moratorium update, officials said the rewritten ordinance would cap data centers at 30 megawatts, a ceiling that forecloses hyperscale development.
Troy City Council approves six-month moratorium on data processing centers, The Troy Times Tribune (2026-03-18). Council vote coverage — view source
County-domain roster, May 2026 state
ReportedIn May 2026 the predecessor coalition documented the same lowndes-al.gov LCEDC page listing four officers with different names and titles: President Thomas Ellis (Priester’s Pecans), Secretary Cleve Poole (Pioneer Electric Cooperative), Treasurer John Lyon (BancorpSouth), and Economic Developer Jim Byard Jr. It listed Charlie King Jr. in no role. That documentation was archived by the Internet Archive on May 27, 2026. By July 28, 2026 the county page had changed to the current five-officer roster.
The LCEDC: three official rosters, 45strong.net, archived by the Internet Archive (2026-05-27). Roster comparison — view source
Verbal membership enumeration
ReportedAt the April 28, 2026 Lowndes County Commission meeting, LCEDC President Thomas Ellis verbally enumerated the LCEDC’s membership as including Alabama Power, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Dixie Electric Cooperative, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Pintlala Water Works, South East Alabama Gas, both local banks, all five county commissioners, the school superintendent sitting in, and several named individuals. No written roster accompanied the enumeration.
Video of the April 28, 2026 Lowndes County Commission meeting, The Lowndes Signal, Facebook video (2026-04-28). LCEDC membership enumeration
Cloverleaf business model
ReportedCloverleaf Infrastructure describes itself as a developer of clean-powered, ready-to-build sites: it acquires land and secures power, then sells the assembled package to hyperscale operators. The end operator is typically a different company from the one that appears at the county meeting.
Project Red Clay / company description, Cloverleaf Infrastructure (2026-07-10). Developer website, corroborated by Yellowhammer News — view source
National pipeline
ReportedCloverleaf is pursuing projects totaling 10 to 15 gigawatts of peak power capacity across all of its sites. Lowndes County is one node in a much larger national pipeline.
Investors embrace Cloverleaf’s energy-first approach to data centers, Latitude Media (2026-01-01). Company pipeline — view source
Hope Hull: the public number and the contract
ReportedA water-service contract for a large data center at Hope Hull, obtained through an open-records request, allocates roughly 150,000 gallons per day plus roughly 90,000 gallons per day of wastewater. The publicly stated figure for that facility had been roughly 30,000 gallons per day, and the wastewater allocation was never disclosed publicly.
Water-service contract obtained by open-records request, Montgomery-area water system (2026-05-01). Open-records production
Water board and development board overlap
ReportedCommission President Thomas Ellis, who chairs the body recruiting the project, also sits on the board of the Pintlala Water Authority, the utility named as a water source for it. The same person would sit on both sides of that question.
Commission resists transparency amid growing data center opposition, The Lowndes Signal (2026-05-27). Commission meeting coverage — view source
Forecast probability
ReportedAnalysis of a December 2025 Greenlink report found that projected demand growth across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina has roughly a 0.2 percent probability of materializing as forecast.
Experts say data center growth is speculative, Southern Environmental Law Center (2025-12-01). Greenlink analysis — view source
HB399 sent to the Governor
ReportedThe Alabama Senate sent HB399 to the Governor on April 10, 2026. The bill caps the data processing center property-tax abatement at 20 years, down from 30, for any abatement granted on or after January 1, 2027, preserving a longer ceiling only through a binding agreement committing to qualified local investments.
Alabama Senate sends bill to limit data center tax breaks to Governor, Alabama Reporter (2026-04-10). Legislative action — view source
Backup generator emissions
ReportedDiesel backup generators emit substantially more nitrogen oxides than equivalent natural-gas generation, and during outages a single facility can release a large share of its annual permitted emissions in a matter of days.
California Agency Urged to Protect Public Health, Environment From Data Center Diesel Generators, Center for Biological Diversity (2026-04-22). Advocacy filing — view source
Modeled public-health burden
ReportedPublished modeling projects that U.S. data centers could contribute to roughly 1,300 deaths per year by 2030, with an associated public-health burden in excess of $20 billion annually.
Health implications of the rapid rise of data centers in Virginia: an exploratory assessment, Frontiers in Climate (2026-01-01). Exploratory assessment — view source
Projects blocked or delayed
ReportedA national registry tracks $64 billion in U.S. data-center projects blocked or delayed by community opposition, and nearly 200 active community groups across more than 24 states.
Data Center Watch report, Data Center Watch (2026-01-01). National registry — view source
Assurance to ratepayers
ReportedThe chair of the county economic development board cited assurances from Alabama Power and PowerSouth that current ratepayers will not be impacted. The underlying contract and cost-allocation study that would support that assurance are not public.
Stakeholders consider potential data center project, The Lowndes Signal (2026-05-26). Utility statement — view source
How the company describes the facility
ReportedCloverleaf representatives described the facility to The Lowndes Signal as quiet and low-traffic, with closed-loop cooling and roughly 100 cars per day.
Cloverleaf emphasizes data center benefits amid community concerns, The Lowndes Signal (2026-06-01). Company interview — view source
8 entries
Disputed
More than one figure exists. We keep every version with its date and speaker instead of averaging them.
Footprint, revised figure
DisputedA June 2026 coalition meeting summary put the project at 3.7 million square feet, described as "115 acres under roof" and as a downward revision from an earlier 5 million.
NRDC/SELC meeting summary, NRDC / Southern Environmental Law Center (2026-06-29). Meeting summary
Investment (website)
DisputedThe developer’s website describes "over $1 billion in taxable investment."
Project Red Clay, Cloverleaf Infrastructure (2026-07-10). Developer website — view source
Investment (spoken)
DisputedAt the May 26, 2026 Commission meeting, Charlie King stated: "This project is $1.5 billion."
Stakeholders consider potential data center project, The Lowndes Signal (2026-05-26). Commission meeting — view source
Permanent jobs (website)
DisputedThe developer’s website describes "at least 50" permanent jobs.
Project Red Clay, Cloverleaf Infrastructure (2026-07-10). Developer website — view source
Permanent jobs (King/WSFA)
DisputedCharlie King, via WSFA reporting on the April 28, 2026 meeting, described 50 to 100 permanent jobs.
Lowndes County leaders, residents continue debate over Project Red Clay, WSFA 12 (2026-04-30). From the 2026-04-28 meeting — view source
Permanent jobs (coalition)
DisputedA June 2026 coalition summary recorded 50 to 200 permanent jobs.
NRDC/SELC meeting summary, NRDC / Southern Environmental Law Center (2026-06-29). Meeting summary
Permanent jobs (WSFA interview)
DisputedA WSFA interview with Cloverleaf described 200 to 300 permanent jobs.
Cloverleaf responds to Lowndes County data center concerns, WSFA 12 (2026-06-04). WSFA interview — view source
Projected county tax figure
DisputedA project briefing reported a $1.5 billion investment claim and a $75 million projected net annual tax revenue figure. The assumptions behind the projection have not been published.
Stakeholders consider potential data center project, The Lowndes Signal (2026-05-26). Project briefing — view source
1 entry
Unverified
A lead we are carrying openly at a lower grade until we can put the primary document in your hands.
Asked if he would live next to it
UnverifiedAt the same June 3, 2026 open house, asked whether he would build a home for his own family next to a data center of the kind Cloverleaf proposes, the Chief Development Officer answered "No."
Cloverleaf community open house, Hayneville Middle School, Account of coalition members present (2026-06-03). Open house, 2026-06-03
2 entries
Superseded
A retired figure, kept visible with its date so the trajectory of the claim stays legible.
Footprint, original figure
SupersededThe original proposal circulated in the community described roughly 5 million square feet.
Opposition mounts against proposed data center, The Lowndes Signal (2026-04-01). Early coalition material — view source
Sites contested elsewhere
SupersededCloverleaf proposals have been contested in multiple states. Manitowoc County, Wisconsin enacted an 18-month data-center moratorium in April 2026. A Canadian County (Piedmont), Oklahoma rezoning was tabled in June 2026. In Columbia County, Georgia the Byrd Farms rezoning was denied 4-1 while a separate site was approved with conditions. In Monroe County, Georgia a Bolingbroke-area site was denied while the Rum Creek campus remains active.
Expanded Cloverleaf site record, Coalition opposition research with regional reporting (2026-06-01). Compiled record, primary links being appended
4 entries
Not disclosed
A genuine unknown. The project has not released it, so we render a labeled gap rather than a guess.
Serving utility
Not disclosedWhich utility serves the specific parcel has not been settled in the record. The 1,500 MW figure is attributed to Alabama Power; earlier material also names Pioneer Electric.
Vault open-question register, Master Evidence Dossier (2026-07-12). Open questions
Peak water demand
Not disclosedThe initial fill volume and schedule, makeup water under peak heat and humidity, blowdown, fire-flow demand, construction-period demand, and wastewater volume, composition, and disposal are not disclosed.
Vault open-question register, Master Evidence Dossier (2026-07-12). Open questions
Abatement dollar value
Not disclosedThe dollar value of the abatement has not been disclosed. The nearest figures are a Cloverleaf-claimed gross county tax figure of roughly $75 million and, for a different Cloverleaf site in Georgia, roughly $20 million projected annual local tax revenue at full buildout.
Vault open-question register, Master Evidence Dossier (2026-07-12). Open questions
Tenant identity
Not disclosedThe end user of the data center has not been named.
Vault open-question register, Master Evidence Dossier (2026-07-12). Open questions
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