The Childersburg City Council, acting in its capacity as the Childersburg Land Redevelopment Authority, has officially voted to surplus 1,337.1 acres within the city’s industrial park to Old Town No. 109, LLS. This critical municipal decision clears the path for the construction of a large-scale Western Hospitality Partners Hyperscale Data Center. The development represents a major industrial real estate and technological investment for the region, bringing substantial construction and permanent employment opportunities alongside extensive infrastructure planning.
What Changed and Council Action
Under the approved transaction, the Childersburg Land Redevelopment Authority transferred surplus land totaling 1,337.1 acres to Old Town No. 109, LLS. This legislative action directly enables Western Hospitality Partners (WHP) to advance its plans for a modern hyperscale data center inside the Childersburg industrial park.
Prior to the formal vote, key healthcare and community figures voiced their support for the project. Glenn Sisk of Coosa Valley Medical Center (CVMC), alongside the hospital board and key staff members, spoke publicly in favor of establishing the data center in the municipality.
Infrastructure, Layout, and Design
According to project specifications provided during the municipal review, less than 10 percent of the massive 1,337.1-acre property will house the actual data center footprint. The remaining acreage will act as a buffer zone surrounding the facility.
To manage thermal output efficiently, the data center will utilize an advanced cooling system. Water resources for the facility will be drawn directly from the Shelby/Talladega County Water system. Wes Self, representing WHP, addressed resource utilization by claiming that daily water use will constitute only a small fraction of the 10 million gallons daily supplied by the local system, matching ordinary everyday use for a typical facility of its size.
Power infrastructure has also been a focal point of development. Wes Self stated that $6 million was invested directly with Alabama Power for necessary electrical infrastructure, ensuring that regional power needs are met without impacting local consumer utility rates.
Economic Impact and Employment
The construction and long-term operational phases of the Western Hospitality Partners Hyperscale Data Center are projected to generate notable local economic activity. During the construction phase, the project will employ 1,000 workers. Once the facility reaches full operation, it will support over 300 permanent staff positions.
Proponents of the site selection have contrasted it favorably with alternative regional proposals. The municipal plan was cited as a preferable approach to hyperscale facilities when compared to a controversial project previously proposed in an unincorporated area of Talladega County that was situated closer to residential and agricultural land.
Environmental and Operational Mitigations
As part of the preliminary project preparations, Wes Self noted that WHP invested over $2 million in due diligence testing on the site. This testing covered various environmental and engineering parameters.
Regarding environmental noise constraints, WHP representatives addressed potential community concerns by asserting that sound levels generated from the operational facility will remain strictly below the established Childersburg sound ordinance threshold.
Additional City Council Actions
Alongside the headline industrial development approval, the Childersburg City Council addressed several routine municipal and public safety items during its session:
- Public Safety Grants: The Childersburg Fire Department announced a $395,000 grant featuring a $19,700 local match to acquire a new ambulance. Additionally, the department secured a $197,000 grant with a $9,000 local match to replace Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) gear.
- Police Department Additions: The council approved hiring Christopher Fisher as a cadet police officer who will attend the Montgomery Police Academy from December through March. The council also authorized the purchase of 11 Safe Life Defense Patrol Vests with accompanying accessories for a total of $9,963.66.
- Facility and Infrastructure Maintenance: Cornerstone Masonry of Alabama was hired for $27,850 to execute repairs on the Rainwater House, primarily focusing on removing and rebuilding the street-level sidewalk. Furthermore, the council approved municipal invoices totaling $55,761.10 for payment alongside $300 for Childersburg High School Baseball advertising.
- Recreation and Board Appointments: Red Eagle Skeet & Trap requested 14 floodplain acres adjacent to its recreation facility to expand services. In governance updates, Gaye Powell was reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term expiring September 30, 2029. Both Powell and Vickie Morris were reappointed to the Library Board, with service terms extending until October 1, 2029.
Limitations and What to Watch Next
While municipal approval has been secured for the land surplus, certain operational milestones remain pending. Specifically, the exact schedule and timing for a detailed public look at data center operations and an associated job fair have not yet been announced by project organizers or city officials. Observers and local stakeholders will monitor subsequent infrastructure buildout phases, utility integration with the Shelby/Talladega County Water system, and the progression of Alabama Power grid modifications.