Patmos, an independent provider of data center and technology infrastructure, today announced the acquisition of the former Walmart property, a 205,000-square-foot building on Aaron Aronov Drive in Fairfield, Alabama. The company plans to redevelop the property into a Technology Campus designed to support growing infrastructure demands for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, colocation, and other web services.
The data center at the heart of the Technology Campus is projected to have an initial capacity of 20 MW while providing flexibility for future expansion, with up to 50 MW of utility capacity.
The project is expected to create approximately 50 new jobs and bring significant technology infrastructure investment to Fairfield. The development will give new purpose to a property that has been vacant since Walmart closed in 2016, with initial operations expected to begin in May 2027.
“We don’t build data centers in the traditional sense. Our data centers power mixed-use Technology Campuses that create job-dense tech ecosystems and new opportunities for communities. We also retrofit existing buildings, so we’re not destroying local farmland,” said John Johnson, CEO of Patmos.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to bring new infrastructure and investment to Fairfield, and we look forward to building relationships with the people and businesses who call it home.”
Infrastructure designed for growth
Patmos has agreed to terms with Alabama Power for electric service to the campus. Under the agreement, Patmos will pay the full cost to serve its energy needs, so those costs are not shifted to Alabama Power’s existing customers.
The project includes planned investments in electrical distribution, reliability improvements, and supporting utility infrastructure. The Technology Campus will be designed to accommodate modern computing requirements, including high-density AI workloads, while providing flexibility for future expansion.
Investing in Fairfield’s future
The Fairfield project builds on Patmos’s approach to developing Technology Campuses that combine modern infrastructure with the reuse of existing commercial and industrial properties.
At its Kansas City Technology Campus, Patmos transformed a former newspaper printing facility into a high-density data center while incorporating space for business tenants and community activities. The company sees similar potential in Fairfield, with opportunities for local employment, businesses, community engagement, and future investment.
As planning moves forward, Patmos will continue working with local leaders and community stakeholders to share information about the project, address questions, and identify opportunities for local participation.
“I’m excited about this investment and the opportunities it represents for the future of Fairfield,” said Mayor Herman Carnes Jr. “For years, we have wanted to see new life brought to the former Walmart property, and I am pleased to see an important step toward realizing that vision. We welcome Patmos to Fairfield and look forward to seeing this project take shape.
“I believe in Fairfield, its people, and the tremendous potential of our city. As Mayor, I remain committed to attracting new investment, encouraging economic growth, and pursuing opportunities that strengthen our community and create a brighter future for our residents.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Fairfield is open for business! We welcome investment, we welcome opportunity, and we are committed to moving our city!”
About Fairfield
Founded in 1910, Fairfield, Alabama, is located southwest of Birmingham in Jefferson County. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city has approximately 10,000 residents and 3,800 households.
About Patmos
Patmos is a U.S.-based technology company built around a simple belief: organizations should have greater freedom, control, and sovereignty over the technology they depend on. Patmos provides custom data centers, AI and GPU infrastructure, sovereign web services, and custom web design and development services for organizations that need powerful, reliable, and scalable technology.
Patmos takes the same approach to the communities where it operates. Rather than treating data centers as isolated infrastructure, Patmos is developing Technology Campuses designed to become part of the communities that host them – revitalizing existing properties, creating opportunities for businesses and workers, and building technology ecosystems that deliver value beyond the data center.
Founded in 2022, Patmos is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with two data centers in Kansas City and additional facilities in Dallas and Phoenix. Learn more at www.patmos.tech.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261112340909/en/
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