Colleton County residents have voiced major environmental and economic concerns about a proposed $6 billion ACE Basin data center and a separate power plant project associated with pipeline infrastructure near the Edisto River. As a result, two public presentations were organized, where project representatives presented plans that could be implemented in the near future. The ACE Basin data center proposal has sparked community discussion on water consumption, air quality and potential impacts to sensitive coastal ecosystems. Meanwhile, neighbors from neighboring Charleston County voiced concerns about regional environmental impacts.
The ACE Basin data center would consume about the same amount of water as a local car wash, but create hundreds of high-paying jobs, Ken Lober of Eagle Rock Partners said. In particular, the project would generate $6 billion for the county if built as planned. So Colleton County economic officials emphasized the possible long-term tax revenue gains and property tax savings for residents.
Another major data center advancing despite previous pushback is Vantage Data Centers Lighthouse campus. The project is approximately 20% to 25% finished. Its size was conveyed to visitors during a recent tour, when the first building being built is approximately 550,000 square feet. “This is crazy,” one visitor said as he walked in.
Environmental opposition to ACE Basin Data Center.
The ACE Basin data center would be located near one of the Southeast’s most ecologically significant coastal areas. In particular, residents asked if the area could support significant industrial growth without sacrificing environmental quality. Water pollution, air quality effects and ecosystem protection in the sensitive basin area were the main environmental issues.
Juliana Tuihri, a North Charleston resident, stated the pipeline and power plant would impact Charleston County alongside Colleton County through air and water pollution. Project representatives said the project would be constructed “with” Colleton County, not “in” Colleton County, which would add geographic complexity to environmental review processes.
Outlook on the ACE Basin Data Center in South Carolina
The project representatives said they hope to finish construction by 2030, and that initial land service permits are for early site preparation. In particular, the Coastal Management Division and Environmental Services of South Carolina are considering permits and public hearings for companion power plant development. Also, officials admitted that significant further development and approvals would follow initial site preparation. Brantley Strickland, executive director of the Colleton County Economic Alliance, highlighted the ACE Basin data center’s transformational economic impact in terms of tax revenue and jobs.
Project Overview
- Project Name: ACE Basin Data Center
- Project Value: $6 Billion
- Location: Near ACE Basin, Colleton County, South Carolina
- Developer: Eagle Rock Partners
- Status: Public presentations held September 2026, permitting underway
Scope
- Data center facility development
- Associated power plant infrastructure
- Pipeline connectivity near Edisto River
- Hundreds of high-paying permanent jobs
- Regional economic development component
Project Highlights
- $6 billion projected economic impact
- Hundreds of permanent jobs creation
- Water usage comparable to local car wash
- Targeted 2030 construction completion
- Tax revenue potential for county
Key Developments
- Public presentations held September 22–23, 2026
- Coastal Management Division availability session conducted
- Environmental Services public hearing on power plant
- Initial land service permit applications submitted
- Community engagement ongoing
Key Challenges
- ACE Basin environmental protection concerns
- Water and air quality impact assessment
- Regional ecosystem preservation questions
- Charleston County downstream pollution concerns
- Multi-jurisdictional permitting coordination
Outlook
- Initial land service permit phase underway
- Construction targeted 2030 completion
- Companion power plant development pending
- Tax revenue and property tax reduction potential
- Environmental review and approval processes continuing
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