Project Orion: Powering the Future, Protecting Our Community

A next-generation data center campus designed to meet Marshalltown’s highest standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, and local economic benefit — without burdening taxpayers or ratepayers.

Project Orion is a modern data infrastructure facility project being evaluated by Edged US to support the digital economy while respecting the community it operates in.

This is not a speculative or outdated industrial project. It is a purpose-built, high-efficiency facility designed to meet strict standards for energy sourcing, water conservation, and community engagement.

Project Orion is a proposed data center campus in Marshalltown, Iowa that will house world-class tenants. The campus would include construction of 10 buildings totaling approximately 4.7 million square feet across 1,064 acres — one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region’s history.

What Makes Project Orion Different

Sustainable by Design

Project Orion is engineered for industry-leading efficiency, significantly reducing overhead energy consumption compared with traditional data centers. Project Orion does not produce ongoing manufacturing emissions; on-site emissions are limited to periodic testing of backup generators and emergency operation.

Advanced Water Conservation

Project Orion uses a closed-loop cooling system that consumes zero water for daily community-facing use and is projected to save approximately 3.99 billion gallons of water annually compared to conventional cooling. That water conservation is equivalent to more than 44,000 Marshalltown-area households' annual water needs.

Quiet, Low-Impact Operation

The facility is designed to operate at sound levels compliant with local noise ordinances at neighboring property lines.

Local Economic Benefits

Project Orion represents a [$ INVESTMENT AMOUNT] investment in the local community, creating hundreds of construction jobs and [# ] permanent positions — a long-term investment that stays local and supports Marshalltown and Marshall County.

Community Commitment

Project Orion is not asking the community to take a leap of faith.

We are committing to transparency, local engagement, and responsible development — from job creation to long-term community investment.

Support responsible growth that works for our community.

About Project Orion

Project Orion is a data center designed to meet growing demand for digital infrastructure while operating under strict environmental and community standards.

Data centers are the backbone of modern life — supporting healthcare systems, financial services, education, and everyday communication.

The question is not whether this infrastructure will be built. The question is whether it will be built responsibly.

Project Orion answers that question with a clear yes. 

Designed for Responsible Development

Energy Responsibility

Project Orion is designed as an ultra-efficient, waterless-cooled data center at approximately 1,400 MW gross capacity.

  • No ongoing manufacturing emissions
  • Manage and pay for own power use and equipment upgrades
  • Designed and required to protect the local grid and the community — at our cost
  • If any issue arises, we will fix it immediately — and pay for it ourselves

Water Protection

Project Orion uses closed-loop, low-water cooling technology, projected to save approximately 3.99 billion gallons of water each year compared to a conventional cooling approach. This water conservation is equivalent to:

  • 44,000+ Marshalltown-area households’ annual water use supported
  • 500+ large commercial buildings’ annual water use eliminated
  • 2,850+ traditional facilities’ cooling tower water use offset
  • 6,000+ Olympic-size swimming pools’ worth of annual water use

Transparency and Engagement

We are committed to a transparent, responsible, and engaged community partner throughout the development, construction, and operation of Project Orion. 

  • Ongoing communication and project updates
  • Community meetings and opportunities to engage with the project team
  • Dedicated channel for questions and feedback
  • Long-term accountability as a member of the local community

Local Economic Development

Project Orion represents a significant investment in Marshalltown and the surrounding community, delivering long-term economic benefits during both construction and operations.

  • [$ INVESTMENT AMOUNT] private investment in the local community
  • One of the largest investments Marshall County has seen in decades
  • Construction start targeted for Q3 2027, with Initial RFS (first building online) in Q4 2029 and Final RFS by Q4 2030
  • [# permanent full-time positions] upon completion
  • [Annual economic impact $, incl. school funding] in projected annual economic impact

What a Data Center Actually Means for the Community

Unlike heavy industrial uses, a data center:

  • Does not produce emissions like manufacturing plants
  • Does not generate continuous truck traffic
  • Operates quietly and securely
  • Requires a relatively small on-site workforce after construction

This is infrastructure that works in the background while delivering visible economic benefits.

Built for the Long Term

Project Orion is a long-term investment in the community — providing revenue, modern infrastructure, and a responsible approach to growth.