A 157-acre, 400-megawatt hyperscale data center campus is under construction on Camp Ground Road in southwest Louisville near Rubbertown, expected to be operational by late 2026. Led by PowerHouse Data Centers and Poe Companies, this project aims to support AI and cloud computing, potentially generating $68 million in annual tax revenue by 2030.
Key details regarding this development:
- Location: Situated on Camp Ground Road in southwestern Louisville, targeting a formerly industrial area, which has raised local concerns regarding energy/water usage.
- Capacity & Scope: This is Kentucky’s first “hyperscale” data center, designed to accommodate massive data demands. The 400-megawatt capacity is roughly equivalent to the output of a power plant.
- Timeline & Impact: The facility is expected to be operational by late 2026, with an estimated 210 permanent, high-salary jobs.
- Economic Impact: The project is projected to provide significant funding to local entities, including $45 million to Jefferson County Public Schools annually when fully operational.
- Controversy: While bringing economic benefits, the project has faced opposition from residents regarding potential environmental impacts and increased utility costs, leading the city to consider new zoning regulations.
While this is the major new development, smaller data centers already exist in the Louisville region, such as Flexential in Downtown and East Louisville.
Questions still remain: Will it increase cost of utilities? How many jobs will it bring to the region?
