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Cielo Digital Infrastructure selects Cherokee County for first South Carolina development project

Estimated $2.1 billion investment expected to create 30 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Cielo Digital Infrastructure, LLC (Cielo), a provider of data center infrastructure, today announced it selects Cherokee County to establish its first South Carolina development project. The company plans to invest approximately $2.1 billion in the data center. The investment is expected to create 30 new jobs.

Cielo facilitates the expansion of digital infrastructure deployments by identifying sites ideal for data center development. With a focus on energy access and resilience, the company seeks to provide reliable and cost-effective solutions for customers.

Located at 000 Ford Road in Gaffney, Cielo plans to develop a data center campus consisting of four facilities, each approximately 400,000 square feet, along with an associated electrical substation.

Initial operations are presently expected to be online by year-end 2028. Hiring information will be made available closer to the start of operations.

QUOTES

“Cielo is excited to bring our newest project to Gaffney. We look forward to advancing on a site that we think offers connectivity and critical energy access to support data center development. Cherokee County and the State of South Carolina have been superb to work with while creating an environment welcoming to growth in key areas, such as technology infrastructure.”
-Cielo Digital Infrastructure Senior Vice President C.J. Maier

“Cielo Digital Infrastructure’s decision to invest $2.1 billion and create 30 new jobs in Cherokee County reinforces South Carolina’s reputation as a place where top technology companies can thrive. We are proud that high-tech companies like Cielo continue to see the value in our talented workforce and pro-business climate.”
-Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are pleased to welcome Cielo Digital Infrastructure to South Carolina’s innovative technology industry. This announcement reflects a strong vote of confidence in Cherokee County and all of rural South Carolina, and we congratulate Cielo on this remarkable investment.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Cielo Digital Infrastructure’s $2.1 billion investment marks a transformative moment for Cherokee County. This project not only brings cutting-edge technology to our region but also creates high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth. We are proud to welcome Cielo and look forward to a strong partnership that benefits our community for generations to come.”
-Cherokee County Council Chairman Tim Spencer

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • Cielo Digital Infrastructure, LLC (Cielo) selects Cherokee County to establish its first South Carolina development project.
  • The company plans to invest approximately $2.1 billion in the data center and create an expected 30 new jobs.
  • Cielo is a provider of data center infrastructure.
  • The company will be located at 000 Ford Road in Gaffney, S.C.
  • The initial phase of operations is expected to be online in 2028.


About S.C. Commerce

Welcome to South Carolina. The new headquarters of American innovation. As the state’s lead economic development agency, the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) works to recruit and support companies of all sizes in their quest to launch, expand and build a legacy. With proactive, strategic initiatives that help the agency create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, S.C. Commerce champions new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging and established industries alike. S.C. Commerce is the principal collaborator for SC NEXUS, a consortium of state leaders in government, utilities, higher education and other stakeholders exploring advanced energy. Recognized for its pro-business climate and policies that have attracted global brands and industry leaders, South Carolina is committed to maintaining the state’s long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy — one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle – allowing people to live and work where they love. For more information, visit www.sccommerce.com.


MEDIA CONTACT:

Kelly Coakley

Director of Marketing and Communications

South Carolina Department of Commerce

(803) 737-1998

kcoakley@sccommerce.com

www.SCcommerce.com

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Christopher "C.J." Maier
Senior Vice President, Implementation
As the Senior Vice President for Implementation, C.J. brings to bear his extensive background in the infrastructure industry, including wireless, fiber optics, transportation, water, and renewable energy. His work to date includes site acquisition, land use entitlements, contracting, project management, construction management, operations, local, state, and federal government affairs, and strategy development. Prior to Cielo, C.J. held senior positions with responsibilities across the U.S. for Verizon Wireless, Crown Castle, Zayo and NextEra Energy. C.J. has committed his career to the digital infrastructure industry and, in2016/2017, served as chairman of the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s HetNet Forum.


C.J. earned a B.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University and an M.B.A. in International Business from Rollins College. Based in Orlando and a native of Central Florida, C.J. is active in the greater community, serving as a Florida Governor appointee to the Central Florida Expressway Authority Governing Board. C.J. also served on the Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council, the Orlando Economic Partnership Board of Directors, the Regional Council for Leadership Florida, Metro Plan Orlando’s Community Advisory Committee, Project Lead the Way for Orange County, and as president of the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business Alumni Board of Directors.
David Shepard
Chief Executive Officer
David is a digital infrastructure veteran with over 25 years building teams and growing organizations. At Cielo David is dedicated to identifying commercial opportunities across the digital infrastructure landscape and growing the Cielo team. Prior to establishing Cielo, David served as Vice President of Integrated Modular Solutions and Custom Thermal at Vertiv. David worked closely with Vertiv’s President to manage innovation efforts across the organization driving productivity and growing Vertiv’s market share.

David served as Chief Revenue Officer for GIGA Data Centers where he was responsible for all commercial aspects of the business. David also served as the Executive Vice President, General Manager of BASELAYER hardware division. He was responsible for all facets of the hardware business unit including sales, marketing, product development, manufacturing, and customer service. In addition, David acted as Senior Vice President of Enterprise Sales at both BASELAYER and IO Data Centers where he led sales and marketing initiatives most notably owning the development of IO’s Private Cloud product and delivering data centers as service to Fortune 100 companies. David’s leadership background includes senior roles with FORTRUST, a Colorado-based data center colocation company where he led FORTRUST’s transition to modular data center deployments resulting in their acquisition by Iron Mountain. Prior to transitioning to the data center industry, David acted as Chief Operating Officer of Totaltix, a SAAS ticketing application that assists professional athletes in managing their contractual ticket allotments. He successfully grew the business and spearheaded the sale of the business to MLBAM.