Shadowbox Studios Data Center FAQ

Question 1

Who is Shadowbox Studios?

Accepted Answer

We have been a committed partner to DeKalb County for nearly a decade and are a fixture in Georgia's entertainment industry.

Question 2

I thought Shadowbox Studios was in movie production. Why are you building a data center?

Accepted Answer

As demand for digital infrastructure has grown, we identified this site as an opportunity to leverage our existing presence in the county and deliver a project that creates lasting economic benefit for the community.

Question 3

Why is Shadowbox building a data center here?

Accepted Answer

The site is not adjacent to any residential neighborhoods – it is instead surrounded by Interstate 285, an active railroad line, truck depots, and an industrial park, which provide natural buffering between the facility and surrounding communities.

Question 4

Will the data center drive up electricity bills for DeKalb residents?

Accepted Answer

No. Shadowbox will cover all costs for its energy supply and any required grid upgrades. Existing ratepayers will not pay more because of this project, and this commitment is backed by Georgia's Public Service Commission rules, which require large electricity users to fund their own infrastructure upgrades.

Question 5

How many jobs will this project create?

Accepted Answer

The project will generate thousands of construction jobs during the build phase, many of which will be available to qualified local workers. Once fully operational, the facility will support approximately 275 permanent jobs.

Question 6

How much water will the facility use?

Accepted Answer

The Shadowbox Data Center will use a closed-loop cooling system, designed to minimize water consumption over the life of the facility. Under this design, following testing and commissioning, the system is filled once at the start of operations and recirculated continuously. The water is not discharged into local drains, waterways, or the surrounding environment, and there is no dumping of processed water. The result is one of the lowest water use profiles of any major commercial property type. The total water usage at the Shadowbox facility is projected to be: 72% less than a comparably sized warehouse on the same site, nearly 70% less than a typical 250-unit apartment complex, more than 60% less than a typical senior living community, and nearly 90% less than a typical hospital. Of the project's total water usage, the cooling systems account for approximately one-third, with the remainder driven by typical employee and landscaping needs.

Question 7

Will there be light pollution?

Accepted Answer

The lighting plan is designed to be consistent with Dark Sky guidelines, meaning all exterior lighting will be shielded and directed downward to ensure light is cast only where needed. Non-essential exterior lighting will be minimized or turned off during overnight hours.

Question 8

Is this project legally permitted?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DeKalb County issued three written confirmations that data center use is permitted by right under existing industrial zoning rules. Based on those assurances, we invested more than $30 million in planning and site preparation before filing our permit application.

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