🌎 Bitcoin Miner Revolve Labs Plans $60M Data Center in Minnesota

Colorado-based Bitcoin mining company Revolve Labs has announced plans to build a $60 million data center in Glencoe, Minnesota, to expand its mining capacity.

Project Overview

The proposed facility will include one or two AI data centers, cooling systems, and backup generators. This initiative aims to enhance the company’s ability to process Bitcoin transactions while addressing local concerns about noise pollution.

Currently in the preliminary planning stages, the facility is expected to employ around 10 people and could cost between $40 million and $60 million. The company discussed the project in a September meeting with the Glencoe Economic Development Authority. Spanning approximately 6.2 acres, the site will house both the data center infrastructure and a new power substation to support the expansion.

Understanding Bitcoin Mining

Bitcoin mining is a resource-intensive process where specialized computers solve complex mathematical problems to validate transactions on the Bitcoin network. In return, miners receive Bitcoin as a reward. Data centers like the one Revolve Labs plans to build are essential for supporting these operations, which require substantial computational power and energy.

Local Concerns and Economic Impact

Mining facilities in Glencoe have sparked some controversy due to the noise generated by the mining equipment and cooling systems. Local residents have raised concerns about noise levels reaching up to 85 decibels, comparable to the sound of a lawnmower. Revolve Labs has faced similar complaints in other locations, including Windom, Minnesota, where the company withdrew a previous expansion proposal following community pushback.

Despite these concerns, Revolve Labs operations have generated significant economic benefits for the city of Glencoe. According to Dave Meyer, general manager of the Glencoe Light and Power Commission, Revolve Labs’ mining operations have brought in more than $500,000 in net annual revenue for the city. These funds have been used to support public infrastructure projects, such as streetlight improvements, while helping to prevent an increase in electrical rates for local residents.

Broader Bitcoin Mining Landscape

Similarly, Texas communities have inherited Bitcoin mining facilities and are attracting companies like Marathon Digital and Hut 8 due to their low energy costs and flexible power grid. However, the influx of mining operations in Texas has caused noise levels as high as 91 decibels, leading to hearing loss, headaches, and sleep disturbances among local residents. These health issues have particularly affected older residents, raising concerns about the impact of mining on community well-being.