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Former Brownfield site transformed into thriving digital hub in Atlanta

The 168 MW high-tech campus is designed for high-density Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads

Edged DC — *Image courtesy of Edged Energy*

A formerly vacant and unused Brownfield site in Atlanta has been transformed into a thriving digital hub with the grand opening of Edged Energy's first North American data center. The state-of-the-art facility is located at 1800 Thomas Street NW, the site of the formerly vacant Tilford Yard.

The 168 MW high-tech campus, known as Edged Atlanta, is designed for high-density Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads and equipped with advanced waterless cooling and ultra-efficient energy systems. The campus is uniquely optimized for water and energy efficiency, with each data center outfitted with the ThermalWorks waterless cooling system. This system uses no water for cooling and is expected to save nearly 664 million gallons of water each year compared to conventional data centers.

"Develop Fulton acknowledges the direct benefits of this Economic Development Opportunity, which will generate nearly $70 million in tax revenue over ten years. In addition to the financial benefits, the project guarantees minimal environmental impact through zero water usage for cooling and advanced electrical systems. We value collaborating with innovative developers who prioritize the well-being of the communities where they build and operate," said Brandon Beach, Develop Fulton Chairman.

The project sets a new standard for sustainable development and represents a $1.69B economic investment in the region, bringing hundreds of jobs and millions in funding for Atlanta public schools, the local government and important city services. "We are deeply grateful to Develop Fulton for partnering with us to transform this vacant, brownfield site into a state-of-the-art IT campus and true asset to the community," said Bryant Farland, Chief Executive Officer for Edged.

The first building on the Atlanta campus is now online, delivering 27 MW of capacity to the region. The facility joins a growing network of Edged data centers currently under construction across the U.S., including in Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, Columbus and Phoenix.

Due to Develop Fulton's involvement in this project, an outreach program will be implemented in Atlanta through the developer's Women in Tech Group. The program will focus on educating students about opportunities in sustainable infrastructure, creating a diverse pool of candidates for employment at Endeavour companies, empowering women and minorities, and generating interest among middle and high school students in sustainable technology. "Our staff and board members are committed to ensuring that every project we undertake provides tangible and measurable benefits to the community, including increases in tax revenues," said Kwanza Hall, Develop Fulton Vice-Chairman.

Austin Keating is the editor of Remediation Technology, a BNP Media publication launched in Sept. 2022. Austin is from Mattoon, IL, and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in journalism. Following graduation in 2016, he worked as a science writer and videographer for the university’s supercomputing center. In 2018, Austin obtained a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where he was the campus correspondent for Planet Forward and a Comer scholar. He then served as an award-winning field editor for America's oldest continuously published magazine, Prairie Farmer, before joining BNP in 2021, becoming editor of SNIPS Magazine and the now discontinued Point of Beginning Magazine.