The cloud company Lambda is planning a $33 billion investment to build the Red Clay Technology Center Campus, a large-scale data center campus in Lowndes County.
The campus, which Lambda’s announcement says was readied for development by Cloverleaf Infrastructure, is expected to create more than 1,000 construction jobs.
The project is estimated to create more than $2.8 billion in local tax revenue through 2049, including more than $1.6 billion for Lowndes County Public Schools. Combined state and local tax revenue is projected to reach $3.4 billion through 2049.
“Building a successful project starts with building strong relationships in the community,” said Stephen Balaban, co-founder and chief technology officer at Lambda. “We want to understand what matters to Lowndes County residents and local leaders and ensure those perspectives inform our approach. We’re committed to showing up as a good neighbor, keeping the lines of communication open and building a relationship that lasts well beyond the project’s development.”
The project is anticipated to support more than 225 full-time roles.
“This project represents a significant and historic investment in Lowndes County and an opportunity to create lasting value for the area,” said Michel Combes, chief executive officer at Lambda. “We take seriously our responsibility to develop this project thoughtfully, with respect for local resources, existing infrastructure and community priorities. That responsibility will guide our approach as the project moves forward.”
The project will be powered by Alabama Power, pending regulatory approval, and is expected to begin construction in 2027. Construction is expected to take up to five years. The campus is planned near U.S. Highway 80 and Alabama Highway 21, according to Lambda.
Lambda says it will pay the full cost of the power and grid infrastructure for the facility so that those costs are not shifted to other customers. The facility will also deploy closed-loop cooling technology that reduces water use compared with traditional data center cooling systems, the company says.
“Lowndes County worked hard to secure this investment because we believe in what it will mean for our community’s future,” said Thomas Ellis, chairman of the Lowndes County Economic Development Commission. “Project Red Clay will bring good-paying jobs, create opportunities for local businesses and provide lasting resources to improve our schools, roads and essential services. Most importantly, it will give Lowndes County the ability to shape its own future, make decisions based on our community’s priorities and create opportunities for generations to come.”
