04/18/2026
Project Alpaca: Let’s Talk About It
Following Tuesday night’s County Council meeting, we’ve heard a wide range of feedback regarding the proposed Project Alpaca data center.
Some of you are supportive. Some of you have real concerns.
Both matter—and we take that seriously.
Our responsibility is simple: make sure the community has clear, factual information to make informed decisions.
⸻
What is Project Alpaca?
Project Alpaca is a proposed 49-megawatt data center campus in Midway Green Industrial Park, developed by an experienced U.S.-based company with a strong track record.
If approved, the project would bring:
* $400+ million in private investment
* Zero taxpayer funding
* Tens of millions in new tax revenue over time
* 50+ high-wage jobs (avg. $42/hour + benefits)
* 500+ construction jobs during buildout
⸻
Let’s Address the Concerns We’re Hearing
We’re not going to ignore the tough questions—here are direct answers:
⸻
⚡ Power Usage
Concern: This will strain the grid and raise costs.
Reality:
This site was specifically chosen because it already has existing, underutilized power capacity. That infrastructure is in place today and not being fully used.
This project does not require building new generation and, compared to many manufacturing users, operates at a lower overall grid impact per acre.
⸻
💧 Water Usage
Concern: Data centers consume large amounts of water.
Reality:
This facility uses a closed-loop cooling system with specialized coolant, meaning no ongoing draw from the local water system for operations.
Water use is limited to standard office and landscaping needs.
⸻
🔊 Noise
Concern: Constant industrial noise.
Reality:
Yes—there are fans and cooling systems. But they are:
* Contained within the building
* Buffered with sound mitigation measures
Noise levels are comparable to typical industrial park activity and are not expected to impact nearby areas.
⸻
🌎 Environmental Impact
Concern: Negative environmental effects.
Reality:
This project must meet all state and federal environmental regulations—no exceptions.
It is also located within an existing industrial park, intentionally designed to handle this type of development—keeping it away from neighborhoods, schools, and residential growth areas.
⸻
🚗 Traffic & Daily Life
Concern: Increased congestion and disruption.
Reality:
After construction, data centers generate very minimal daily traffic—far less than most industrial or manufacturing operations.
⸻
🏗️ Infrastructure
Concern: Strain on local systems.
Reality:
The site uses existing infrastructure already built for industrial use, meaning no added burden on public systems.
⸻
💼 Incentives & Accountability
Concern: Who benefits from the deal?
Reality:
Any incentives must comply with South Carolina law and require:
* Verified job creation
* Significant private investment
* Measurable long-term tax revenue
If those benchmarks are not met, the benefits are not realized.
This is performance-based—not a blank check.
⸻
Final Thought
We understand that projects like this raise important questions. They should.
Our commitment is not to push something through—it’s to ensure that every decision is based on facts, transparency, and what’s best for Union County long-term.
We invite you to continue asking questions.
We’ll keep answering them—openly and honestly—so everyone has access to the same information. Please post your questions.
