Kraft-backed data center proposal promises $28 million in annual taxes for Sutton

Sutton, Massachusetts, town officials estimate a proposed data center campus could generate approximately $27.8 million in annual property tax revenue by fiscal year 2035. The development, located off Boston and Providence roads, is associated with the Kraft Group and Unified Global Packaging Group, which owns the property.

The plan calls for 10 buildings, each roughly 250,000 square feet. At full build-out, the campus would cover approximately 2.5 million square feet, an area equivalent to 43 football fields. The town's preliminary review indicates the project represents about $16.75 billion in investment and would require 900 megawatts of electricity.

Financial projections suggest the first two buildings could yield $10.4 million in annual property taxes by fiscal year 2031. Town financial modeling predicts the average single-family homeowner would pay approximately $5,800 less annually by fiscal year 2035 compared to projected tax bills without the development. This potential relief addresses a structural budget deficit that Sutton projects could reach $9.1 million by fiscal year 2033 without corrective action.

Residents voiced concerns about the project's impact on noise, water usage, electricity consumption, and traffic during a town meeting. They also questioned the costs associated with municipal services and the operation of generators. The town's review identifies water supply, wastewater, lighting, and emergency response as areas requiring further study.

Jonathan Anderson, chair of the Sutton Select Board, told residents that the current stage is the "very, very beginning" of the process. No final approval has been granted, and town officials expect additional technical review. Negotiations regarding zoning regulations and a community benefits agreement are also anticipated.

A zoning change for the project requires a Planning Board hearing and approval by a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting. Longtime resident Mario Giamie expressed opposition to the development, citing concerns for his family. "I have a 3-year-old grandson," Giamie said. "And I'm not going to subject him to this if I can fight it, and I will fight it."

The proposal places Sutton among locations considering some of the larger data center developments in the country. The town's review process remains ongoing as officials gather technical data to address the specific infrastructure questions raised by neighbors.