NorthMark supercomputing center at former Kohler plant
Also called: Project MOC-1, NorthMark Strategies
NorthMark Strategies is turning the old Kohler plant in Spartanburg County into a $2.8 billion supercomputing data center. It will make its own power with natural gas on site. Some neighbors say they were not told it was a data center and worry about air pollution.
Where things stand: Under construction; first operations targeted for late 2026, with building through 2028.
🕒 Latest update (May 1, 2026): Residents said they were misled because the county called it a 'high-performance computing center,' not a data center.
What we know
- 📍 WhereFormer Kohler plant on South Pine Street, near Dogwood Club Road and Route 176, unknown, Spartanburg County
- 🏢 CompanyNorthMark Strategies
- 👤 Built forNorthMark Strategies (own use)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromNatural gas generators on site; the company says it will not use grid power. In March 2026 it asked state regulators (SCDES) to raise its power-generation limit.
- 🗼 New power linesNo
- 💧 WaterCity water under the old Kohler plant's permit (company says no groundwater)
- 💵 Cost$2.8 billion
- 💸 Tax breaksFee in lieu of taxes (FILOT) agreement with Spartanburg County.
- 👷 Jobs promised150
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- How many megawatts will the on-site gas plant make? 🙋 I'll find out
- What will the new air permit allow, and when is the public comment period? 🙋 I'll find out
- Is the site inside Spartanburg city limits? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- 2025NorthMark bought the former Kohler site on South Pine Street and signed a FILOT deal with the county.
- March 2026NorthMark asked SC Department of Environmental Services to raise the power its on-site gas equipment can make.
- May 1, 2026Residents said they were misled because the county called it a 'high-performance computing center,' not a data center.
Local votes and rules
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Spartanburg County Council voted 5-1 for a one-year freeze on new data centers bigger than 65 megawatts. Applications were already on hold since the first vote on June 22. Projects already approved, like the Valara (NorthMark) site, are not affected.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Spartanburg Co. residents say they were misled about data center project · FOX Carolina · May 1, 2026
- NorthMark Strategies: A Message to Our Spartanburg Neighbors · NorthMark Strategies (via WSPA) · May 2026
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