The Kraft Group wants to build a $16 billion data center campus in a small Central Mass. town

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Kraft Group proposes $16B, 900-megawatt data center campus in Sutton, Mass.

   The Kraft Group has unveiled plans for a $16 billion, 10-building data center campus on roughly 600 acres in Sutton, a town of about 9,500 people in Central Massachusetts. The project would draw up to 900 megawatts of power, making it one of the largest such developments in New England. At a packed and contentious public forum this week, residents overwhelmingly opposed the plan, citing concerns over water usage, noise, traffic, environmental impact, and the strain on local infrastructure. The Sutton Select Board has not yet voted on any agreements or zoning changes required for the project to advance.

   Why it matters

   The proposal marks the Kraft Group's largest single real estate bet beyond its Patriots and Revolution holdings and signals Big Tech's push into smaller New England towns for cheap land and power. Sutton officials previously courted data center development through zoning changes initiated by a town administrator, not the developer. The project's scale would dwarf existing local tax revenue but requires massive utility upgrades and state-level energy approvals that remain uncertain.

   What is confirmed

   • The Kraft Group proposes a $16 billion data center campus in Sutton, Massachusetts.
   • The campus would span approximately 600 acres and include 10 buildings.
   • The project's power demand is estimated at 900 megawatts.
   • A public forum this week drew hundreds of residents who overwhelmingly opposed the plan.
   • Residents raised concerns about water usage, noise, traffic, and environmental impact.
   • The Sutton Select Board has not voted on any agreements or zoning changes for the project.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The project could generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue for Sutton over 20 years.
   • Kraft Group may seek state subsidies or tax increment financing for infrastructure upgrades.
   • Construction could begin as early as 2027 if approvals are secured.

   What to watch next

   • Sutton Select Board vote on host community agreement or zoning amendments
   • ISO New England interconnection study results for 900 MW load
   • Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board review timeline
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. The Boston Globe — The Kraft Group wants to build a $16 billion data center campus in a small Central Mass. town
   2. NBC Boston — Kraft Group pitches $16 billion data center project in Mass.
   3. Yahoo — Central Mass. residents push back on data center proposal at raucous meeting: 'Kill it now'
   4. Worcester Telegram — Kraft Group proposing to build data center campus in Sutton
   5. MassLive — Could a massive data center campus be coming to Central Mass.?
   6. CBS News — 900-megawatt data center campus proposed for central Massachusetts, backed by Kraft Group
   7. The Business Journals — Kraft Group eyes $16B data center complex in Central Massachusetts
   8. WCVB — 'I speak in staunch opposition': Sutton residents slam $16B Kraft data center plan
   9. Boston 25 News — Kraft Group proposes 10-building data center development in Mass. town
   10. MassLive — Central Mass. residents oppose data center proposal at raucous meeting: ‘Kill it now’
   11. The Boston Globe — Seething Sutton residents attack Kraft data center plans in first public forum
   12. Quartz — Kraft Group proposes $16 billion data center in Sutton, Mass.
   confidence 96%