'Our data centers are not going to be just big buildings that are out in the middle of nowhere that are run by 10 people' US Army thinks it can win over communities over its data centers without a big tech backlash

Date:
Fri, 19 Jun 2026 21:05:00 +0000

Description:
The US Army is developing data center campuses on military land while prioritizing community engagement, energy independence, and net-zero water consumption.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter US Army received over 200 proposals and approved 20 for immediate execution Four military installations could soon host large-scale data center campuses across America All proposed facilities must generate their own power without drawing from local grids The US Army is exploring plans for new data center developments while attempting to avoid the community resistance that has increasingly confronted major technology companies.

Officials say future projects will involve direct engagement with residents and address concerns surrounding power use, water use, and economic impact. The US Army received more than 200 responses to a March 2026 call for private-industry ideas on upgrading its infrastructure through new
contracting models and public-private partnerships. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: Army seeks community support for new data center projects Among the proposals received, approximately 120 were considered viable, while about 20 have already entered various stages of execution.

Army officials are now examining plans that could bring data center
facilities to four military installations across the United States -
potential locations include Fort Bliss in Texas, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Bragg in North Carolina, and Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. You may like The US Army will host commercial data centers on 'underutilized' land at four major bases Many new AI data centers will be built on US drought-hit areas
The data center debate rumbles on - here are the numbers behind People Over Profit

Unlike many commercial developments that have faced criticism over resource consumption, the Army says proposed facilities must include independent power generation and net-zero water usage plans.

The Army is now holding discussions with residents, utility providers, and private-sector partners before construction decisions are finalized. Are you
a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Army representatives recently met community members near Fort Bliss alongside El Paso Water, El Paso Electric, and Carlisle, the company interested in developing a facility on nearly 1,400 unused acres.

Col. John Oliver said the Army's approach differs from private technology companies because military installations already exist within surrounding communities.

So I think the difference between us, the Army, doing a data center, and say Meta or Google , is we're part of the communities that are there, he said. What to read next As data center worries grow, here is every US state which
is fighting back against new buildings Antimatter plans global AI network
with 1,000 micro data centers by 2030 Erin Brokovich's next crusade is tracking new data centers across the US and she wants your help

Brookings Institution senior fellow Darrell West argued that transparency remains critical because residents often want detailed information regarding water consumption, electricity sourcing, costs, and expected noise levels. Broader infrastructure plans extend beyond computing facilities The Army's Strategic Capital Initiative is also examining proposals involving manufacturing modernization, logistics improvements, and domestic industrial expansion.

More than 95% of submissions came from organizations that had not previously worked with the Army, creating opportunities for new partnerships.

Several projects have already advanced, including a turboshaft engine modernization facility at Corpus Christi Army Depot and new energetics manufacturing initiatives at Pine Bluff and McAlester facilities.

Army leaders are also evaluating proposals involving critical mineral processing and energy generation technologies.

According to Oliver, future power systems could involve geothermal resources, gas turbines, or small modular nuclear reactors, depending on local requirements.

Long-term planning extends beyond constructing individual facilities and instead envisions a broader ecosystem combining military computing,
commercial operations, and dedicated power generation.

Our data centers are not going to be just big buildings that are out in the middle of nowhere that are run by 10 people, Oliver said.

The proposal reflects a growing recognition that AI tools , energy infrastructure, and every major data center increasingly depend on community acceptance as much as technical capability.

Via Defense One Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/our-data-centers-are-not-going-to-be-just-big-bu ildings-that-are-out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-that-are-run-by-10-people-us-arm y-thinks-it-can-win-over-communities-over-its-data-centers-without-the-big-tec h-backlash


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)