Will the Nebius data center get bigger? Company says no, but local presence will grow

The high-stakes world of AI infrastructure is taking shape in Birmingham’s Oxmoor Valley. As construction advances on the massive $36 billion project, representatives from Nebius Inc. have clarified that the current site is reaching its functional ceiling, confirming there are no plans to expand the existing campus footprint.

A Fixed Capacity for a Growing Tech Hub

Nebius Inc. is currently executing a ambitious buildout on a 75-acre tract within the Oxmoor Corporate Park. The project features two distinct facilities—a 150,000-square-foot building and a larger 300,000-square-foot structure—designed to handle 300 megawatts of electrical capacity. John Sutter, public affairs lead for Nebius, noted in an interview with 205focus.com that the site at 201 Milan Parkway is already optimized to its maximum capacity.

"The phase one and phase two plans that we’ve talked about, the 300 megawatts of power for that site, that’s the full capacity that we’ll receive from Alabama Power," Sutter explained. "And that’s the full buildout that we can fit on that site."

Eyes on National Growth

While the Oxmoor site is locked into its current parameters, the Amsterdam-based firm is far from finished with its U.S. expansion. Nebius is actively scouting new locations across the country, with ongoing projects already underway in Missouri and Pennsylvania. According to Sutter, if the company determines a need for further expansion within Alabama, it would look toward new sites rather than attempting to stretch the Birmingham campus beyond its limits.

Powering the AI Revolution

The rapid escalation of AI adoption is fueling a global scramble for computing infrastructure. "The technology itself has advanced so quickly, and then the customer demand and the adoption of AI is advancing so quickly, that just the capacity is sold out," Sutter said. "We have to provide the infrastructure to support that demand."

Leah Davis, a local Nebius representative, emphasized that the project is a tangible anchor for a digital future. By choosing Birmingham, the company aims to bolster the city's standing as an emerging tech hub, similar to the growth trajectory seen in Huntsville. The selection of the Magic City was bolstered by the presence of local institutions like UAB and Lawson State Community College.

Investing in the Local Workforce

The economic impact of the development is significant, with plans to support 1,000 construction jobs—managed primarily by Hoar Construction—and 78 permanent high-paying roles upon completion. To ensure those permanent roles are filled by local talent, Nebius is investing heavily in education.

The company is leveraging its TripleTen edtech platform to help residents transition into tech careers and is working closely with Birmingham City Schools and local leadership on AI literacy initiatives. Furthermore, they are in discussions with Ed Farm, a K-12 digital education platform, to integrate AI curriculum into classrooms. Nebius intends to release the full details of its community benefits plan in the coming weeks.

"We want people to see what we’re doing for what Nebius is doing and not compare us to a national narrative," Davis said, highlighting the firm’s commitment to growing alongside the Birmingham community.