TheJobWalk E.41

Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! Kansas City makes headlines with a $100B data center campus, while Georgia secures a $5B mega-campus powering digital growth. Rowan Digital unveils a 300MW data center project, and Albania’s skyline welcomes The New Boulevard Tower. Google boosts grid flexibility with smarter data centers, and Toyota wraps up its massive $13.9B EV battery plant in Liberty, NC. Let’s dive in!

NEWS
$100 Billion Kansas City Data Center Campus

Shenandoah Computing LLC is spearheading "Project Kestrel," a major data center development located on a 379-acre site just north of Kansas City International Airport.

The project calls for the construction of six data center buildings, with a phased build-out planned over 20 years. The total investment, estimated at up to $100 billion, includes extensive infrastructure development such as roads, water, and fiber, as well as the technology and renewable energy systems required to operate the facility.

The facility is expected to generate over 200 on-site jobs per building, including security and contract trades. Shenandoah Computing has also committed to sourcing 50% of the project's energy needs from renewable sources.

Concerns have been raised about the potential strain on regional electricity and water infrastructure. One Port KC commissioner opposed the deal, citing high resource demands and a low ratio of permanent job creation relative to the scale of investment.

TheJobWalk’s got eyes on this too...

📰 Turner Tops Out New Rankin Health(Turner)
📰 QTS Dives into Data Center Outlook(QTS)
📰 NTT Appoints New Data Center COO(NTT)
📰 Mortenson Presents Construction Cost Index(Mortenson)

PROJECTS
Build of The Week

$5 Bilion Data Center Mega‑Campus in Georgia

Earlier this year, plans were announced for a nine-building complex on 317 acres near Covington by TPA Group.

Plans are still in their early stages, but the project, named the Newton County Technology, aims to create a 2.6 million square foot facility east of Atlanta.

The site will require rezoning from commercial to industrial to proceed, with an expected completion date around 2031, depending on approvals and phasing.

• Developer: TPA Group

• General Contractors: TBD

• Award: Data Center

• Value: $5 Billion

• Location: Newton County, Georgia

Movement in the field:

🏥Texas Health Unveils $233M Expansion Project: Texas Health is investing $233 million to expand its Southwest Fort Worth campus with a new five-story patient tower. The project will add 64 new beds, along with shell space for future expansion as the hospital plans for the region’s long-term population growth. The expansion was announced recently, with initial patient floors expected to open in 2028, while additional space will remain shelled for future development.

Key Details: Owner/Developer: Texas Health Resources, General Contractor: TBD, Sector: Healthcare, Value: $233 Million, Location: Fort Worth, Texas

🔌Rowan Goes Mega, 300MW of Digital Muscle Incoming: Rowan Digital has broken ground on a new 300MW hyperscale data center campus outside San Antonio, Texas. The campus will provide a total of 300MW at full buildout, with the first phase now underway. The first phase is estimated to become operational by late 2026. This development marks one of the largest hyperscale data center investments in the San Antonio region.

Key Details: Owner/Developer: Rowan Digital Infrastructure, General Contractor: TBD, Sector: Data Center, Value: TBD, Location: San Antonio, Texas

🚗From Zero to $13.9B, Toyota’s Battery Beast Hits the Finish Line: Toyota Motor Corporation completed its first in-house EV battery manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Which will be powered completely by renewable energy. This $13.9 billion plant is expected to produce lithium-ion batteries for a variety of electric vehicles, including hybrid-electric, plug-in hybrid-electric, and battery-electric models. During construction in 2023 and early 2024, this project had around 1,400 individuals on site daily and is expected to produce over 5,000 jobs over the next five years. Construction was completed by Kajima Building & Design Group, Inc. on the 1,825-acre site and will be fully operational by 2030.

Key Details: Client: Toyota Motor Corporation, General Contractors: Kajima Building & Design Group, Inc, Architects: SSOE Group, Award: Manufacturing, Value: $13.9 Billion, Location: Liberty, North Carolina

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WORLD
The New Boulevard Tower, Albania

The New Boulevard Tower is a 38-story residential development positioned at the northeastern edge of Tirana’s historic center. It forms part of the River Project Masterplan and anchors the new Northern Boulevard, connecting Skanderbeg Square, the River Tirana, and the planned Central Park.

The building’s façade is cast-in-place concrete with textured surfaces and bold pigments inspired by Tirana’s material palette. Residences are arranged around a central core, each with continuous balconies for natural light and panoramic views. The top three levels feature penthouse units overlooking Central Park. Sustainable elements include green rooftops, passive cooling strategies, and energy-efficient systems.

More than 65% of the surrounding urban core is being dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, reducing vehicle dominance and enhancing public life. At ground level, the design incorporates a public plaza that links the boulevard, the square, and the park, creating new spaces for gathering and cultural exchange.

TECH SPOTLIGHT
Google Makes Data Centers More Flexible

Google is working with utilities to make its data centers more flexible, helping the electric grid and saving money. This new approach lets data centers shift machine-learning (ML) workloads to times when the grid is less stressed. It's the first time Google has targeted AI workloads this way, with deals in place with Indiana Michigan Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Demand flexibility means Google can reduce its energy use at peak times. That helps the power grid stay stable and avoid the need for new power plants or transmission lines. The company says ML workloads are a key step toward larger-scale flexibility where it's deployed.

Google has used similar load-shifting methods before, like delaying YouTube processing or adjusting compute tasks during storms. Demand flexibility is still early in development and is only possible in some locations. Critical services like Search, Maps, and healthcare-related Cloud services must continue without interruption.

QUICK FIRE ROUND
Your quiz questions for this week:

What is the purpose of a control joint in a concrete slab?

A. Enhance thermal insulation // B. Allow controlled cracking due to shrinkage // C. Improve surface finish

Which lighting technology is most energy-efficient for commercial use?

A. High-intensity discharge (HID) // B. Compact fluorescent (CFL) // C. Light-emitting diode (LED)

In mechanical systems, what does a VAV box regulate?

A. Electrical voltage in switchgear // B. Volume of air delivered to a zone // C. Amount of chilled water in coils

Which document legally binds a subcontractor to perform work per project terms?

A. Subcontract Agreement // B. Change Order // C. Request for Information (RFI)

What does LEED stand for in sustainable construction?

A. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design // B. Leading Environmental Engineering Design // C. Low-Emission Environmental Development

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY
“Gonna be a big job this one boss”

REFLECTION
This week’s question to ask yourself✌️

Who am I becoming when no one is watching?

ANSWERS

Q1 B. Allow controlled cracking due to shrinkage // Q2 C. Light-emitting diode (LED) // Q3 B. Volume of air delivered to a zone // Q4 A. Subcontract Agreement // Q5 A. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

How many did you get?