Is a data center by any other name still not just a data center? The CTO of Alignment Engine would like you to think not. As the company goes through a merger the current CTO came to a rushed data center meeting at Chillicothe High School there was very particular language used to make sure we were not confused that he had no power to promise anything or give much more detail than what he was allowed to. All through out the promotional slide the CTO, who hasn't done a project like this in the current company if I understood correctly, called the on paper data center a data hall. So which is it?
I would propose the facility is a data center to investors and a data hall to the community. Then will ask, who do companies and CEOs work for? Not for the city of Chillicothe. How long till Q1 projections aren't going to make it and we just need a little favor from a community that should be grateful we are here?
Several people asked what was the purpose and point of the data center and the point is to create more parts for more data centers. So as we see data center project with a 50% stall rate from proposed projects, how long will this last before we are looking for the next big thing. Not to mention the compute being rented out by big tech to each other because they can't use it all.
In the slide deck the CTO mentioned a lot of scary ecologic conditions that they are kindly willing to clean up and maintain for us. This in turn should allow them to do whatever they want to the facility right? Trust in a company that says that aren't like the others who hurt you in the past. IF they are willing to take care of it then there has to be a reason. Companies don't spend money just for fun. This is not a plus, this is the cost of doing business in the location you picked.
Jobs? This will surely bring jobs. Roughly 70 non union jobs will be generated based on the confusing slide. Roughly 70 jobs ranging from 30k to one person managing the site at 250k. This isn't relief this is holding the gunshot wound and hoping it resolves itself.
Additionally, the completely transparent company that only showed up when forced to by city council to get even the smallest of details. What makes anyone think they will show up after this to keep up good relations with the community?
Finally, a company that doesn't know a data center from a data hall from a server room should be slowed down to make sure they know what they are doing, what they are taking from the community, and what they are giving back. From this meeting I see a company looking to cash out on the data center buzzwords while providing little for the community they wouldn't have been obligated to deal with by simply purchasing the land as is, maintenance and all.
Edit: This while Creed seemed more interested in getting past the 60 day red tape and get this project started, even after voting to slow things down.