A Massive $16 Billion Proposal in Sutton
The Kraft Group has proposed building a $16 billion, 10-building data center campus in the Central Massachusetts town of Sutton, according to reporting published on Nov. 11, 2026, by the Boston Globe. The project would be erected on land owned by the Krafts’ Unified Packaging box business about 10 miles south of Worcester, pushing Massachusetts into the commercial data center market as the fourth-biggest facility in the United States, according to data from research firm Cleanview.
Sutton Town Manager Austin J. Cyganiewicz confirmed the proposal in a letter sent Nov. 9, 2026, to the town’s Select Board. The Sutton Select Board met on Nov. 10, 2026, to hear about the project before a packed hearing room. Board Chair Jonathan Anderson stated that the board would not immediately vote on the matter and planned to hold multiple public forums to discuss the proposal with the community. “This is not a project that’s a done deal,” Anderson said during the hearing. “It’s far from it. This is the very, very beginning of the process.”
Local Opposition and Energy Stakes
The proposal faces immediate pushback from residents concerned about power consumption, water usage, and noise. During the Select Board meeting, the board allowed about 15 minutes of public comments, and all six speakers opposed the project. State Representative Joe McKenna noted that the community response has been swift. While sharing concerns about utility rates and water consumption, McKenna stated he was not willing to dismiss the project purely out of an unknown fear.
When completed in 2033, the Kraft data center would draw 900 megawatts of electricity, equal to about 7 percent of the state’s peak usage on the hottest summer day last year. IDC analyst Matt Eastwood noted that while Massachusetts has historically lacked large data centers due to high electricity rates and land costs, broader adoption of artificial intelligence will require regional infrastructure to prevent software slowdowns. Nationally, data centers have faced intense scrutiny, with Governor Maura Healey signing an executive order in September 2026 to block new data centers unless they secure local approval.
Financial Windfalls and Next Steps
For Sutton, which faces budget pressures, the project represents a major potential property tax windfall. Cyganiewicz estimated in his letter that the first two buildings would pay $10.4 million annually starting in fiscal year 2031, rising to about $27.8 million a year once all 10 buildings are active in 2035. This revenue could significantly reduce single-family property tax bills. However, the proposal remains tentative, with no formal application filed yet, leaving crucial details on utilities, equipment, and environmental impacts pending further review.