The $3B Valara data center in Spartanburg is generating massive controversy as developers aggressively build one of South Carolina’s largest projects. A high-performance computing campus is being built in Spartanburg and is expected to be one of the largest of its kind in the world. The sites are being redeveloped by NorthMark Strategies and its subsidiary, Valara Holdings, and consists of an industrial former site situated along South Pine Street.
Initially, the tech hub was promoted as a small-scale project, dubbed “Project MOC-1” in 2025, and said to cause limited disruption. In today’s world, community trust is now at risk from a flood of environmental backlash. These future environmental and zoning protections are crucial to the surrounding residents. These were the first big tech rebuilds that were under the eyes of state regulators. This home-made Industrial base will ensure high-tech commercial income for another century. Data centers are reshaping the advancements of power distribution and growth across the US with the Valley Link transmission line project being a clear illustration of this.
Environmental Concerns and Power Generation Expansion
Such a large high performance computing campus demands an enormous amount of committed energy. The state environmental records show that Valara’s initial application for the project was for 50 megawatts of power generation on-site. But they soon dramatically ramped up their demand to nearly 450 megawatts, essentially suggesting a large natural gas plant. In September 2026, state regulators finally granted building approvals for eleven new massive natural gas turbines onsite.
As a result, environmentalists and the public were very concerned about the potential for high levels of air pollution, especially formaldehyde. In addition, the facility acknowledged that it consumes 1.2 million gallons of water per day, which is double the estimated amount.
Local Government Actions on Valara Data Center in Spartanburg
Local advocates mobilized for strong legal and political opposition in the wake of vast environmental and logistical upheaval. The Southern Environmental Law Center brought a large lawsuit demanding to put construction project on hold. They said that Spartanburg County allotted the massive $3 billion campus a “minor land development” classification, which meant it did not have to go through public hearings.
In early October, however, this aggressive lawsuit was dismissed by a judge. Spartanburg County Council recently voted to put a one-year hold on all new data center projects in the county. This delay does not impact the Valara site, however council members did come up with a preliminary development agreement that ensures future development is subject to greater noise, light and environmental controls.
Project Overview
- Project Value: $2.8B to $3B
- Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Developer: NorthMark Strategies
- Status: Construction active
Scope
- 500,000 sq ft computing campus
- On-site natural gas power plant
- Eleven natural gas turbines
- Extensive local water infrastructure
Project Highlights
- Second most expensive SC project
- Generates 457 megawatts on-site
- Consumes 1.2M gallons of water daily
- Creates 27 permanent jobs
Key Developments
- County approved data center moratorium
- Judge dismissed construction lawsuit
- Regulators approved natural gas turbines
- Residents gathered to protest construction
Key Challenges
- Calming public air pollution fears
- Minimizing massive daily water consumption
- Overcoming deep public distrust
- Navigating new local environmental agreements
Outlook
- Heavy construction continues aggressively
- Becomes major county air polluter
- Council finalizes operational development agreement
- Moratorium restricts new rival developers
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