Bitdeer leaders pledge to be good neighbors, sound business partner for Massillon, region

Steven M. Grazier
·3 min read
Bitdeer, a global company that computes data for bitcoin transactions, bought 31 acres in 2023 on the west side of Ninth Street SW, between Industrial Avenue and Albrecht Street, in Massillon for an expansion effort. The project has concerned some neighbors.
Bitdeer, a global company that computes data for bitcoin transactions, bought 31 acres in 2023 on the west side of Ninth Street SW, between Industrial Avenue and Albrecht Street, in Massillon for an expansion effort. The project has concerned some neighbors.

MASSILLON – Bitdeer officials are pledging to do everything possible to be quality neighbors to the community, as the tech company aims to construct around 30 buildings on the city's southwest side.

A handful of Bitdeer representatives shared details and took queries from City Council for about two hours at a Monday night work session, addressing concerns related to noise, high water and powering its facilities for a multi-million dollar expansion project.

"We want to build the most energy efficient, noise-reducing buildings as possible," said project manager Paul Hanson, who's based at Bitdeer's Texas facility. "Those are two of our main points."

Bitdeer, a Singapore-based company with its U.S headquarters in San Jose, California, bought property last year along the west side of Ninth Street SW, between Industrial Avenue SW and Albrecht Street SW, for about $1.6 million. Plans involve constructing two warehouses, an office and 26 database buildings. The company has said the project would provide about 70 full-time jobs.

Bitdeer company has purchased property in southwest Massillon for an expansion project that aims to bring 70 jobs to the area.
Bitdeer company has purchased property in southwest Massillon for an expansion project that aims to bring 70 jobs to the area.

Councilwoman Julie Harwig-Smith, R-Ward 5, called the possibility of noise reaching an uncomfortable level for residents a main concern. The planned Bitdeer project is within her ward.

"People I'm talking to are just terrified about the noise," she said during the Monday session.

City Council is being asked to replat sections of 31 acres to accommodate the project. If the replat is approved, as well as other applications necessary for construction, the company could break ground as soon as April. Completion would be planned for August 2025.

"The location (in Massillon) is fantastic with utilities, being near a cell tower and with routes for delivery trucks for shipping and receiving," Hanson said. "It makes sense to come here."

Here are five things to know about the proposed Bitdeer expansion in Massillon:

How will Bitdeer address noise coming from its facilities?

Noise would be produced through computer cooling fans operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via most of the company's buildings, Hanson said.

Noise from facilities would be similar to the buzz of highway traffic. Bitdeer plans to build a warehouse on the site's west side to help buffer noise, as well as a 10-foot-high wooden fence, tree line and vegetation.

How will Bitdeer buildings be powered?

A substation would be built on the southern section of the property to provide electricity to facilities. FirstEnergy is the local provider.

Officials from the electric company said powering Bitdeer buildings will not impact residential electric rates or contribute to outages.

Expansion plans: Bitdeer wants to build in Massillon. Some city leaders and neighbors question the move

What does a replat of the property involve?

The replat involves relocating sanitary and stormwater easements to accommodate construction, as well as combining lots. Bitdeer's stormwater management plan includes building a large retention pond to help mitigate heavy rainfall and potential flooding, said contracted Engineer Kevin Noble of Scheester, Buckley and Mayfield.

What's next regarding Bitdeer's replat proposal with Massillon officials?

City Council is slated to consider the issue on second reading at its next regular meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 1 James Duncan Plaza SE. A vote could be taken on whether to approve or deny the replat.

What if the replat proposal is denied by City Council?

Bitdeer essentially has two options if the replat effort fails.

One is to abandon the project altogether, perhaps selling the property and choosing to build elsewhere, said Massillon Development Director Ted Herncane. Another notion is to re-engineer the plan around existing easements and build on site. A redo of the project could stall momentum, cost the company more down the road and result in less input from city officials.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Bitdeer leaders meet with Massillon City Council on possible expansion