News Summary

The proposed Project Marvel, a $14 billion data center in Bessemer, Alabama, has elicited strong community opposition due to concerns about environmental impact, transparency issues, and increased traffic. Despite amendments allowing data centers in light industrial zones, local residents are pushing back, claiming inadequate public notice and engagement. Key city officials have signed NDAs, raising transparency questions, and public meetings have faced capacity limits. The Bessemer City Council is set to discuss the project further on November 18 amid growing dissent.

Alabama

A proposed $14 billion data center project in Bessemer, Alabama, known as Project Marvel, has sparked significant controversy among local residents. The project, being developed by Logistics Land Investment LLC, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based TPA Group, is planned for 700 acres of rural land located south of Birmingham and is currently in the early stages of zoning approval.

Residents have expressed numerous concerns at public meetings regarding the potential negative impacts of the data center, including issues related to pollution, water and power constraints, wildlife disturbance, and increased traffic in the area. The Bessemer City Council, however, recently amended zoning codes to permit data centers in areas designated for light industrial use, despite pushback from the community. This amendment has raised questions about the decision-making process and the implications for local infrastructure.

Adding to the controversy, Bessemer’s mayor and city attorney have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) concerning the project, leading to accusations of secrecy and a lack of transparency. The city officials denied a request for copies of the NDAs and relevant communications about the project, citing legal and public interest grounds. Despite these claims, Wanda Taylor, the city clerk, assured the public of the city’s intent to comply with the Alabama Public Records Act while safeguarding its legal interests.

As public opposition grows, a lawsuit has been initiated by three residents alleging that the city failed to provide proper public notice regarding the rezoning of land for the project. Public meetings related to Project Marvel have seen a strong turnout from local residents, with many community members feeling intimidated by the heightened police presence at these events. Such circumstances have raised concerns about community engagement and the transparency of the planning process.

The NAACP has also criticized the lack of public notice and transparency surrounding the meetings for the data center, formally requesting full disclosure from city officials about the project. Critics of Project Marvel have labeled the proposed data center as unsuitable for the light industrial zoning, arguing that its considerable power consumption and stringent security requirements indicate a need for a heavier industrial classification.

The Bessemer city’s social media communications have emphasized the potential economic benefits of the data center, suggesting it could create jobs and stimulate local growth. However, this claim has not assuaged public concerns, especially among residents and environmental activists who are urging a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s potential impacts on local ecology and community health.

To date, public meetings regarding Project Marvel have been restricted in terms of attendance capacity, with many reaching full occupancy before additional residents could enter. No recordings or livestreams have been made available, limiting access to information about the deliberations surrounding the project.

The Bessemer City Council is scheduled to hold its next public hearing regarding Project Marvel on November 18. As the project advances through the zoning process, the dissenting voices from residents and environmental groups continue to grow, signaling that the contentious debate surrounding the data center is far from over.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• AL.com: Secrecy Agreements Fuel Pushback of $14 Billion Alabama Data Center
• Wikipedia: Data Center
• Alabama Reflector: Bessemer Changes Laws for Data Centers
• Google Search: Alabama data center controversy
• Word in Black: Alabama Data Center is Hush-Hush
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Economic Impact
• Data Center Dynamics: 700-Acre Data Center in Bessemer Approved
• Google Scholar: Data Centers and Local Opposition
• AL.com: $14 Billion Data Center Faces Setback in Alabama
• Google News: Bessemer data center

Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER

The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.