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By rdnewsNOW staff

Olds Supporting Alberta’s Digital Econom

Town of Olds welcomes Data District Inc. with major data centre investment

Dec 18, 2025 | 2:21 PM

Invest Olds has announced the opening of Data District Inc. in the town of Olds.

Officials describe it as an incredible boost to the community and regional economy, saying it represents a major private-sector investment which supports the Alberta government’s focus on large-scale digital structure development to prepare the province for growth.

Invest Olds says it has been working closely with Data District Inc. since September 2025, providing investment attraction support, site readiness coordination, and local partnership connections throughout the decision-making process.

Officials say Data District Inc. is expected to have a state-of-the-art data centre campus commercially operational in the second half of 2026. The project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for Olds and the surrounding region.

Key anticipated impacts are said to include the creation of approximately 200 indirect jobs during 2026, along with 70 permanent positions by the end of 2026, growing to an estimated 150 permanent jobs by 2029–2030. Officials say the project is also expected to generate between $200 million and $300 million in investment in Olds in 2026, with a further $500 million projected over the following four to five years, contingent on the planned 55MW power expansion being advanced in collaboration with Fortis Alberta.

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A news release issued Thursday, states that this investment forms part of a broader provincial expansion of data centre capacity, positioning Alberta as a competitive global hub for AI-enabled computing, digital infrastructure, and next-generation energy integration.

According to Data District Inc., Olds was selected based on several strategic advantages, including:

• A reduced go-to-market timeline enabled by pre-existing site infrastructure
• Proximity to Calgary and its international airport
• Strong broadband connectivity thanks to former O-NET infrastructure.
• Close proximity to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, creating opportunities for potential collaboration on workforce development, technical training programs, and applied research.
• Town of Olds’ openness and proactive stance toward new and emerging digital technologies, a critical factor for long-term infrastructure investment
• Collaboration with Invest Olds, providing local support, streamlined navigation of municipal processes, and a dedicated point of contact to accelerate project planning and implementation

“Every site we select is developed with a long-term business perspective in mind, and Olds stood out as a community that understands the future of digital infrastructure and is prepared to grow with it,” said Carlos Caldas, Chief Executive Officer, Data District Inc. in its site assessment.

“Data District’s decision to locate in Olds validates our community’s readiness for advanced technology investment,” added Sandra Blyth, Economic Development Manager, Invest Olds/Town of Olds. “This project will deliver high-quality jobs, diversify our local economy, and create long-term opportunities for residents, businesses, and post-secondary partners.”

Dan Daley, Mayor of the Town of Olds, emphasized the broader significance of the announcement: “This is a landmark moment for Olds, positioning our community for the future. Council has been intentional about fostering innovation, infrastructure readiness, and responsible growth, and this project reflects that vision coming to life.”

Officials say investments in data centres are growing across rural Alberta due to the province’s Broadband Strategy. The Town of Olds says it is committed to working with the province and developers to manage this growth in a responsible and sustainable manner.