Data Centers
Data Centers: Just the Facts
The CEDC is hosting an educational session to provide information on the facts regarding data centers and the pros and cons of a potential facility in the Economic Development Park.
If you’d like a question answered, submit in advance using the form to the right. —————>
December 16th, 6:00 p.m., Carthage Memorial Hall, 407 S. Garrison Ave,
Speakers will be:
Jodie Murray Burns, Carthage Alumni, wetland scientist and environmental consultant
Jordyn Moreland, Carthage Alumni, former data center community impact liaison
Jason Rincker, Stronghold Data
Engineer Leader, Engineering Company Specialist
Utility Leader, Municipal Utility
What is a data center?
A data center is a physical facility that houses computer systems, servers and networking equipment to store, process and transmit digital data.
The first DC in the area was in McDonald County that was built in the 90s for a large retail business.
Why so many of them?
The need for data centers grows as people use more data. Due to the expansion of cloud computing and off-site backups, all of that data has to be stored somwhere. Data centers provide economies of scale and efficiency of service to their customers.
How much electricity?
Large buildings of computers and technology devices use a lot of electricity to operate and keep cool. DCs can be different sizes ranging from 5 MW to 1 GW+.
Any facility in Carthage would be on the smaller side.
What’s the benefit?
A DC would provide tax revenue through sales, use and property taxes during construction and operation.
Large utility users help pay for the cost of operational overhead as well as generating ongoing revenue for the municipal-owned utility and City of Carthage.
What do they do?
Data centers power the digital services people use every single day. When you stream a movie, send an email, use online banking, shop on an e-commerce site, or ask an AI question, a data center processes the request and sends the data back almost instantaneously.
Lights, sounds and farmland?
Any facility inside the City limits would be subject to zoning, permitting and other municipal regulations. The Carthage ED Park plans to have additional covenants, codes and restrictions applied to the Park.
Future use of the ED Park will not be agricultural, regardless of type of development that occurs.
How much electricity?
Large buildings of computers and technology devices use a lot of electricity to operate and keep cool. DCs can be different sizes ranging from 5 MW to 1 GW+.
Any facility in Carthage would be on the smaller side.
What about water?
A modern data center utilizes a closed-loop system using water that is recirculated and occassionally needs “topped off” due to minimal evaporation.
Municipal pool lost more water in a week during the summer than a Carthage DC would use in a year.
Are there chemicals?
Large buildings of computers and technology devices use a lot of electricity to operate and keep cool. DCs can be different sizes ranging from 5 MW to 1 GW+.
Any facility in Carthage would be on the smaller side.
