#USA #Baton Rouge #Hut 8 Corp #River Bend #West Feliciana

Hut 8 Corp. Drives $16 Million Initiative for Water Infrastructure Improvement

Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq and TSX: HUT), an innovative player in energy infrastructure, has made a significant commitment to invest around $16 million towards upgrading water infrastructure in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. This strategic investment aims to enhance the local water system in conjunction with Hut 8's upcoming development of the River Bend AI data center campus. The planned improvements encompass the installation of a new water well, the laying of nearly eight miles of water main, and various enhancements to the current system, all of which will be handed over to the parish at project completion, slated for the latter half of 2026, at zero cost to local taxpayers.

This initiative is expected to boost both capacity and reliability for the water system, ultimately serving over 4,000 households and more than 200 businesses, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Furthermore, the investment aligns with Louisiana's broader efforts to upgrade water infrastructure, as represented by the state's ambitious $750 million Water Sector Program aimed at repairing and modernizing community water systems. Through this private investment, the project is intended to safeguard public funds for other essential infrastructure needs throughout the parish.

At the core, Hut 8's River Bend campus is anticipated to generate substantial economic benefits for the Capital Region. The initial phase alone signifies a monumental multibillion-dollar capital investment, marking it as one of the largest proposed private infrastructure ventures in Louisiana's history. Hut 8 foresees around 1,000 construction workers engaged at the peak of construction, and once fully operational, phase one should create at least 75 direct permanent roles and an estimated 193 indirect jobs, totaling approximately 268 positions.

Importantly, while expanding the local water system, Hut 8 has also planned to minimize its own demand on it. The River Bend campus will employ a closed-loop cooling system that significantly lowers ongoing water needs and will utilize water sources separate from the residential aquifer, ensuring the local water supply remains unaffected.

Asher Genoot, the Chief Executive Officer of Hut 8, remarked, "Our goal is to build infrastructure for communities rather than just for our operations. At River Bend, that entails fortifying the water system that the parish relies on, without adding strain to it. We aspire that as the United States enhances AI infrastructure, our approach will become a benchmark for how such developments integrate with local communities nationwide."

Kenny Havard, President of West Feliciana Parish, expressed his enthusiasm about the project, stating, "This represents a genuine investment in our parish's infrastructure needs. It strengthens our water system and extends service to areas that require it most, without any financial burden on our residents. This positions us well to manage future growth effectively while conserving our valued resources."

Hut 8's River Bend campus forms part of an integrated energy and digital infrastructure network across North America, developed in collaboration with both public and private sector partners. This project is not only vital for enhancing the local infrastructure but also serves as a template for responsible resource management and sustainable growth in technological advancement. With these efforts, Hut 8 strengthens its commitment to building a robust future for communities while leveraging the potential of cutting-edge technology and infrastructure.

For more information on Hut 8 and its initiatives, please visit hut8.com.