An estimated $40 million of work has begun on turning the old Schwegmann building in St. Rose into a high-speed data center that could employ up to 250 people.
“We are bringing $100 million of foreign investment in the state of Louisiana,” said Chad Harris, global director for Whinstone US. “It’s a big deal as anything else that has happened in this state.”
Company partners include Ashton Harris and Lyle Theriot, both of New Orleans.
“We’re definitely building it,” said Harris. “We have a full team building the facility.”
The project will begin in three phases, representing a $40 million investment, to be done by the third quarter of this year. Advancing on the next seven phases anticipated with the project will be contingent on Entergy’s ability to facilitate the power.
“Our No. 1 biggest hurdle is power,” Harris said.
In addition to Entergy, he said other infrastructure needs factoring into the project include railroad, local and state governments.
Data processing is only part of the operation. Harris said they also will provide video rendering.
“We build high-speed data centers that offer managed solutions for global partners to process financial details,” he said.
Plans are to renovate 50,000 square feet of the building in the project’s first phase, Harris said.
Ultimately, up to 10 phases are planned for the project, which will employ up to 250 people directly and another 500 people indirectly for work such as construction.
“We’re working on Phase 1 … contingent on the speed and efficiency of Entergy as the utility provider,” he said.
The center startup will require 200 megawatts of electricity to operate, which will require a substation switch yard to facilitate additional energy directly coming from the transmission grid.
Murray Architects, All Star Electric and Crumb Engineering, as well as several others in the St. Charles Parish area have been hired to facilitate the project, he said.
Whinstone US
- The project will include high-speed data processing and video rendering in 50,000 square feet in its initial construction, which is underway.
- Plans call for employing up to 250 people directly once completed.
- The center will require 200 megawatts of power in its initial stages.
Where in St Rose was the old Schwegmann’s store?
As an IT professional living in St. Rose, this is really exciting! Can’t wait to see the job opportunities there.
“We build high-speed data centers that offer managed solutions for global partners to process financial details,” he said.
In other words, cryptomining.
Would you give us an update on this facility? According to the Louisiana Secretary of State, Whinstone US, LLC filed an Affidavit to Dissolve on July 3, 2019.