Section
Massena, New York · St. Lawrence County
Same neighbors. Deeper roots. More to offer.
North Country Colocation Services (“NCCS”) has been part of the Massena community since 2017. We are proposing to expand our existing operations on the same legacy industrial site by reusing brownfield land, utilizing existing approved power capacity, and making a long-term investment expected to become the town’s largest source of tax revenue.
~200
permanent full-time positions, with average salaries roughly 40% higher than at current operations.
~2,000
construction jobs over a roughly two-year phased build-out.
#1
expected to become the largest taxpayer in the Town of Massena.
0
new power generation, same approved power.
Our Roots
A business that's been a part of Massena since 2017.
NCCS isn't new in town. We've been operating, hiring, volunteering, and paying taxes in Massena for nine years. Our proposed expansion builds on that foundation. We're committed to Massena for the long haul — not a speculative project waiting on someone else's power deal. We support ~60 full-time employees with competitive salaries and benefits, and have built lasting relationships with neighbors, schools, and first responders.
~60
full-time employees on-site today
$5M+
annual local payroll
$6M+
state & local tax payments per year
30
different local organizations supported over the last four years
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
A long-term investment in Massena's future.
The project is designed to deliver durable, generational benefits to the town and region — strengthening the tax base, creating high-quality permanent jobs, and routing investment through local trades, suppliers, and hospitality.
Largest taxpayer in town
The expanded campus is expected to become the largest taxpayer in the Town of Massena, supporting schools, public services, and long-term fiscal stability — without burdening current residents with costs of expansion.
~200 high-quality permanent jobs
About 200 full-time positions across operations, facilities management, IT, and administration — at a weighted average salary roughly 40% higher than current operations, with comprehensive benefits including healthcare, 401(k) match, and parental leave. Existing employees will have opportunities to retrain into higher-paying technical roles.
~2,000 construction jobs, regionally sourced
Phased construction over roughly two years, with peak on-site workforce of 1,800–2,500. NCCS will prioritize regional labor, supplemented with specialized crews where required. The build-out is a concentrated infusion of wages and procurement into local trades, contractors, and suppliers.
Hotels, restaurants, suppliers
The construction period will significantly increase hotel occupancy and short-term lodging demand. Local and regional businesses are expected to benefit across the supply chain. Local colleges and trade programs will benefit from new training and apprenticeship opportunities tied to long-term operating roles.
Brownfield reuse — not greenfield
The expansion adds three buildings on parcels adjacent to a long-industrialized site, utilizing modern, energy-efficient facilities in lieu of legacy energy-intensive infrastructure. The land is put back to productive use under modern environmental standards rather than building on undeveloped acreage.
Infrastructure paid for by NCCS
All required new electrical infrastructure — substations, transmission upgrades, on-site systems — will be funded entirely by NCCS, not residential ratepayers. As a large, around-the-clock user of the transmission system, the facility contributes a substantial share of fixed infrastructure costs associated with maintaining the system.
Our COMMITMENTS
Plain-language commitments, at a glance.
The full commitments are documented in our community materials and will be evaluated through New York’s State Environmental Quality Review (“SEQR”). Here is the short version.
Water
Protecting the St. Lawrence, Grasse, and Raquette river systems is a top priority. The facility's cooling system is built around a closed-loop design that does not interact with local waterways. In a closed-loop design, water is imported in (via trucks) and recirculated, which removes the need to withdraw and discharge water for cooling from any nearby waterways.
Air
No manufacturing, chemical processing, or industrial combustion. No smokestacks. The facility operates nothing like the industrial operations that previously occupied this region. Emissions will be minimal, tightly controlled, and monitored on an ongoing basis through regular and ongoing testing and reporting to the New York State DEC.
Energy
Uses existing approved power capacity. No new fossil-fuel or nuclear generation is proposed. Power is sourced from transmission lines connecting into the Moses-Saunders hydroelectric dam, responsibly consuming clean energy from the grid at market rates without preferential treatment.
Waste
Certified electronics recycling for retired equipment in compliance with federal and state regulations. The facility does not generate hazardous industrial waste.
Noise
Acoustic enclosures, equipment screening, and site layout designed to control sound at the property boundary. Sound levels will be modeled, are expected to be minimal, and disclosed through SEQR before any construction begins.
Construction
Phased over approximately two years. No construction will begin until all required environmental reviews and permits are complete.
Consultation
Ongoing coordination with St. Regis Mohawk Tribal leadership, Town of Massena officials, NYS DEC, NYPA, and the New York State Historic Preservation Office. Public engagement through SEQR.
Project Brief
What this project is:
Expansion of an existing operating campus by reinvesting in data center infrastructure and operations on the site since 2017
Not affiliated with any green hydrogen proposals, nuclear proposals, or other data center proposals in Massena
Significant local investment creating long-term jobs, expanding the tax base, and supporting regional economic growth
Not connected to the former GM site
Retiring legacy industrial infrastructure and replacing it with modern, energy-efficient computing facilities designed to protect local waterways
Not a new or speculative developer
Supporting the local community through partnerships with schools, first responders, and community organizations
Not a manufacturing facility or heavy industrial operation
PROJECT Details
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A modern computing campus on a legacy industrial site.
The proposed expansion adds three new buildings across phased development on parcels adjacent to our existing operations — reusing a long-industrialized brownfield rather than building on undeveloped land.
SITE
Legacy Reynolds industrial parcel — adjacent to NCCS's current operating data center site, Massena, NY.
BUILDINGS
Three data halls, phased development, with detailed site plan prepared.
ACREAGE
~355 developable acres of expansion, adjacent to existing ~110-acre site with significant brownfield infrastructure.
POWER
Existing approved capacity. Hydroelectric power from the St. Lawrence River. No new fossil-fuel or nuclear generation proposed.
CONSTRUCTION
Approximately two years, phased. Begins only after all environmental reviews and permits are complete. Peak workforce 1,800–2,500.
USE CASE
Modern computing and AI infrastructure, replacing the existing on-site bitcoin mining operations, which will be sunset.
NCCS has worked, and will continue to work, closely with independent experts, regulatory agencies, and the community conducting in-depth reviews across environmental, infrastructure and cultural impacts to assess any impacts on the environment and community.
Benefits of Modern ComputinG
Benefits of Modern Computing
Modern computing facilities are buildings filled with powerful computers that process large amounts of information for everyday applications — including healthcare, education, research, business, and AI tools.
Examples of tasks that advanced computing facilities like the Massena campus are built to support:
Examples of tasks that advanced computing facilities like the Massena campus are built to support:
HEALTHCARE
Detect diseases earlier, develop new medicines faster, and provide better care to patients.
CLIMATE + ENERGY
Model weather, optimize energy grids, and develop cleaner technologies.
EDUCATION
Personalized learning tools adapted to each student, making education more accessible and effective for everyone.
TRANSPORTATION
Safer roads through navigation, traffic management, and vehicle safety systems that protect drivers and pedestrians.
AGRICULTURE
Predict crop yields, manage water use, and reduce waste — feeding more people sustainably.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Faster disaster response, better 911 systems, and community safety planning.
By providing the computing capacity behind modern tools and services, Massena can help power the next generation of critical industries — from healthcare and energy to education, and public safety.
FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions
Questions we've heard from you, our neighbors.
Direct answers to the questions Massena residents and the Akwesasne community have raised. If you have a question not covered here, please reach out — we will answer it.
How much power will the campus use, and where does it come from?
The expansion uses existing approved power capacity already permitted to serve the NCCS site. Massena's electricity comes primarily from hydroelectric generation on the St. Lawrence River — one of the cleanest and most cost-stable electricity sources in North America. We are not proposing to add any new fossil-fuel generation to the grid, and we are not affiliated with any nuclear proposal.
How much water does the facility use? What about the St. Lawrence, Grasse, and Raquette rivers?
Protecting the St. Lawrence, Grasse, and Raquette river systems is a top priority. The facility's cooling system is built around a closed-loop design that does not interact with local waterways. In a closed-loop design, water is imported in (via trucks) and recirculated, which removes the need to withdraw and discharge water for cooling from any nearby waterways.
Will the facility be loud? What does it sound like at the property line?
Modern data centers are purpose-built to minimize noise: acoustic enclosures, equipment screening, and careful site layout reduce sound at the boundary. Primary sound sources are cooling systems and backup generators — not manufacturing or combustion equipment. A modern data center at its property boundary, on its loudest day, is comparable to ambient suburban background noise, and is significantly quieter than traditional industrial uses on this site. Sound levels will be formally modeled and compared to New York State and local standards as part of the mandatory SEQR environmental review, and results will be shared with Town and Tribal representatives and the public before any construction begins.
What about air emissions? Is this anything like the old aluminum smelter?
It is fundamentally different. The facility does not include manufacturing, chemical processing, or industrial combustion processes. There are no smokestacks or process emissions. The computing equipment runs on electricity and does not emit hazardous chemicals, toxic gases, or radiation. Backup generators are required for emergency reliability only and operate in accordance with NYSDEC air permits and federal emissions standards and will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
How will the project affect traffic and roads?
Traffic impacts during the phased two-year construction window will be evaluated through SEQR. Routes, timing, and any required road improvements will be coordinated with the Town of Massena and applicable agencies. Once operational, a modern data center generates far less daily traffic than traditional industrial uses on this site — there are no trucking-intensive manufacturing flows, no shift-change surges, and no heavy freight cycles. Day-to-day traffic is primarily staff commuting and routine deliveries.
What kinds of jobs will the project create — and who can apply?
Approximately 200 permanent full-time positions across operations, facilities management, IT, and administration, with competitive technical salaries roughly 40% higher than current operations and comprehensive benefits. Existing NCCS employees will have opportunities to retrain into higher-paying technical roles. Construction adds approximately 2,000 jobs over a roughly two-year phased build-out, with regional labor prioritized and specialized crews supplementing local workers where required. Workforce partnerships with regional colleges and trade programs will be implemented as part of the long-term plan.
How are you engaging with the community?
NCCS is committed to maintaining an open dialogue with the community throughout the public review and permitting process, including:
- Participation in the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process, including public meetings and publicly available environmental documents
- Cultural-resource review with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in coordination with St. Regis Mohawk Tribal representatives
- NYSDEC air, water, and environmental permitting
- Town of Massena site-plan and local permitting
- Infrastructure planning coordination with NYPA
We also sponsor more than 30 community organizations across St. Lawrence County. NCCS recognizes the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe as a federally recognized sovereign nation with a distinct government, history, and inherent rights, and is committed to respectful, ongoing engagement with Tribal leadership and community members. This includes supporting SRMT programs such as the annual art market and disABILITIES Awareness Day. We intend to maintain ongoing communication with Tribal leadership, Town officials, and community members throughout development and operation.
Timeline
A phased path, with no construction before permits.
The project is sequenced so each step depends on regulatory approval and community engagement before the next begins. No construction begins until all required environmental reviews and permits are complete.
2022 – 2025
COMPLETE
Load studies, existing infrastructure upgrades, and feasibility analysis
2025 – Late 2026
ACTIVE
Engineering & Site Design
Detailed engineering, design, and changes informed by community feedback
Environmental & Regulatory Review
SEQR diligence, wetlands and cultural-resource reviews, advanced permitting
Public Engagement & Coordination
Public meetings, agency coordination, and community engagement
Late 2026
Planned
Initial construction (subject to permits & approvals)
Late 2026 – 2028
Planned
Phased build-out and energization
Resources
NCCS Massena Data Center Site Plan Application
Click to download the NCCS Massena Data Center Site Plan Application
Modern Computing Campus Project Overview
Click to view the presentation shared at the Massena Town Planning Board meeting
Have a question, a concern, or want to meet a real person from NCCS?
We'd like to hear from you directly. We will continue to add to the FAQ as we engage with the community.
© 2026 North Country Colocation Services. An affiliate of New York Digital Investment Group (NYDIG).