What we know about the $1.5B data center eyeing Lowndes County

After a year-long search across Alabama, Houston-based developer Cloverleaf Infrastructure has zeroed in on a rural site in Lowndes County for a massive $1.5 billion artificial intelligence data center. The project, dubbed Project Red Clay, is slated for an 800-acre tract located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and Alabama Highway 21 in Hayneville.

Community Engagement and Local Concerns

With project details circulating, Cloverleaf is hosting an open house at Hayneville Middle School this Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Company representatives and local experts will be on hand to field questions regarding the development and the broader data center industry.

The proposal has already sparked pushback from the community, with residents packing county commission meetings to voice their concerns. A group known as 45 Strong has formed to oppose the development, while local activist Perman Hardy has expressed specific concerns about the site's proximity to the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.

Project Scope and Infrastructure

Aaron Bilyeu, Cloverleaf’s chief development officer, confirmed that while the project is in its early stages, the firm is working to identify a domestic tech company to eventually own and operate the facility. Bilyeu, who previously led data center development for Microsoft and Meta and oversaw Meta’s Montgomery facility, emphasized that the site is not a crypto facility.

The project sits on existing Alabama Power transmission lines, meaning no new major transmission infrastructure is required. Cloverleaf plans to build necessary substations, with Bilyeu noting that the developer—and the future end user—will fully fund these system upgrades. The company has requested up to 1,500 megawatts of capacity from Alabama Power.

Technologically, the facility is designed to support AI training and inference—the processes powering tools like ChatGPT. To manage the significant heat generated by these operations, the center will utilize a closed-loop cooling system. Cloverleaf is also negotiating with the Pintlala Water System to secure the required 100,000 gallons of water per day and plans to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades for that system.

Jobs and Transparency

Cloverleaf anticipates the project will generate between 1,000 and 2,000 construction jobs over a three-year period, followed by 100 to 200 permanent operational roles. Bilyeu stated that many of these positions, such as fiber and server technicians, do not require four-year degrees and offer starting salaries around $75,000. Additionally, the developer has pledged $10 million to the community through the Central Alabama Community Foundation, with initial discussions focusing on fire department equipment.

Bilyeu underscored his commitment to transparency, noting that Cloverleaf does not use non-disclosure agreements with government officials. Regarding financial incentives, he confirmed the company has not requested property tax cuts at this stage. As noted in prior reporting by AL.com, the development landscape in Alabama has seen significant activity, including a multibillion-dollar AI project in the northern part of the state.

Margaret Kates contributed to this report.