Stream Data Centers is honored to become part of the Genesee County Community.

Simply put, data centers are large, highly secure buildings that act as the foundational layer of the US economy by securely housing the essential computing power and network connectivity required for daily commerce, communication, entertainment and essential services like hospitals and EMS.

Data centers and complex IT infrastructure are among the strongest sectors in the entire US economy due to their critical role in supporting day-to-day life and their long-term, stabilized economic value. To ensure this sector’s growth maximizes value and minimizes impact, we continually strive to deliver win-win-win outcomes as a developer that is deeply invested in the mutual wellbeing of our communities and our developments. We hope that this website and our upcoming informational meetings will re-enforce our dedication to being good neighbors and delivering a great success story for the county and its residents.

News outlets have been sharing tales of ratepayers who felt like their electricity rates were impacted by the presence of new large-scale AI data center campuses in their markets. As with any complex question, the answer to “Do data centers change energy costs?” is more nuanced. Have energy costs gone up since 2020, yes, they have. Are data centers the sole or industrial developmentsprimary driver, no, we don’t think so, as you can see below, the states with the highest increase in costs are not states that may experience high tenant turnover or seasonal occupancy,have seen significant uptick in large-scale AI data center campuses.

The states/entities with the highest increase in utility costs since 2020 are:

None of these markets have seen significant growth of large AI data center campuses. Noticeably absent from the list of states experiencing the highest increase in utility costs are the 5 states below.

While Stream is not an AI provider, as a data center provider, the infrastructure we build can be used to support AI. It’s true that more data centers are being used for AI, as globally, it’s become an important tool for economic development.

However, it’s also important to know that from a design and construction perspective, AI data centers don’t differ much from other kinds of world-class enterprise facilities. They are built to the same high standards of safety and efficiency also depended on for ‘traditional’ uses. No matter what our customers utilize our infrastructure for, it is designed to operate with the utmost security, safety and impact mitigation, so that on a regional and national level, digital development can continue supporting new opportunities. 

Not this one. We have committed this project to create less than 65 decibels at the perimeter of our site during the day and 45 decibels at night. For reference, 65 decibels is equivalent to the volume of a normal conversation, while 45 decibels is the equivalent of a quiet office or library. To meet this standard, Stream selects cooling equipment, enclosures, and acoustic screens to prevent sound from exceeding the regulated levels.

No. Stream uses closed loop air-cooled cooling systems, so the project requires very little water for operations. The project usage is low enough to be supported by the area’s existing municipal water and wastewater infrastructure This usage is expected to be similar to that of a small commercial office building.

While large data center facilities typically require a substantial number of backup generators, this design employs a highly efficient operational strategy that significantly reduces our overall need for auxiliary power equipment. Instead of deploying hundreds of diesel generators, this site will maintain a limited number of generators (up to 12) strictly to support essential life safety systems, emergency lighting, and security infrastructure during rare power outages.

• Emergency Use Only: Generators will operate on an extended basis only during emergency power-loss events.
• Strategic Testing Protocols: Generators are only run periodically for routine, short-duration maintenance testing as required by regulatory standards and manufacturer specifications and only during daytime business hours.
• Proactive Safety: All fuel will be stored in certified, double-walled, self-contained tanks equipped with continuous monitoring to prevent potential spills.

By minimizing noise, water consumption, and onsite fuel storage we go to great lengths to ensure that our impact on local wildlife is minimal.

In addition, we will work to integrate wildlife-friendly design into the project through several key features:

• Bird Safety: We will utilize design features such as bird-safe windows and strategically placed landscaping to mitigate collision risks for migratory and resident birds.
• Light Management: We will employ specialty light management techniques that are Dark Skies compliant (e.g., downward-facing, low-intensity fixtures) to reduce light pollution and minimize disruption to nocturnal species and migratory patterns.
• Habitat Creation: Our landscape features will be designed to enhance and create opportunities for on-site habitat for local species. This will include utilizing native plantings to provide food and shelter, supporting the local fauna.

Unlike traditional commercial or industrial developments that may experience high tenant turnover or seasonal occupancy, a data center is a specialized piece of critical long-term infrastructure that cost hundreds of millions of dollars and have an operating life span of 30+ years. Our facilities and our customer’s systems are designed to be highly available and efficient which creates the need for well-trained, local, employees to operate our specialized systems safely and efficiently. 

Employment Projections: Based on our typical operational model and research into the regional labor market, we anticipate the following workforce benefits:

• Operational Phase: Starting in 2027, we estimate the creation of 120+ direct, full-time positions at the campus in Genessee County. These roles are filled by technical, professional and skilled tradespeople with anticipated starting salaries exceeding $75,000. 
• Construction Phase: The development of this facility is projected to require over 1,000 workers over a multi-year period, with significant demand for skilled electrical and mechanical trades.

When evaluating new markets, we carefully consider the availability of skilled labor as our goal is to leverage the local workforce to fill these positions, aligning our operational needs with the professional and trade skills available within Genesee County and the surrounding region.