BESSEMER, Ala. — Bessemer City Council has cleared the way for what could be Alabama’s largest tech investment, approving a zoning change Tuesday night that greenlights construction of a $14.4 billion, 700-acre hyperscale data center on the city’s outskirts.
The vote follows months of heated public debate and protests from local residents, environmental groups and the NAACP, who raised concerns about energy use, utility rates and long-term effects on water and wildlife.
The council unanimously backed amendments to the city’s zoning code, allowing data centers in light industrial districts—a crucial hurdle that paves the way for 18 data center buildings spanning more than 4.5 million square feet of floor space.
Opponents have vowed to continue legal and environmental challenges, citing ongoing worries over secrecy agreements and lack of public transparency.
With the rezoning in place, developers say preliminary construction could begin in early 2026, positioning Bessemer for an economic windfall and turning the city into a regional hub for digital infrastructure.
Further project and environmental reviews are expected in the coming months.