Bitmain, the world’s largest bitcoin miner and mining instrumentation maker has declared construction plans for a new blockchain data center and cryptocurrency mining facility in the town of Rockdale in Milam County, Texas. CCN earlier reported that the company released plans to construct a data center in Texas as a part of an ongoing North american expansion drive.

The facility is part of a projected $500 million investment into the area, and it's expected to bring in up to 400 new jobs, which will make up a key part of what locals hope is a rebirth in an area devastated by de-industrialization and job losses.

Re-Industrialization in America’s Rust Belt

According to a statement from Bitmain, the facility, which will commence operations in early 2019 and become totally operational within 2 years, represents an investment of over $500 million over an initial period of seven years into the local, county, and statewide economies.

Opened inside an abandoned Alcoa aluminium smelter plant, the facility is anticipated to breathe new life into the surrounding native economy, bringing in more than 400 jobs in the first 2 years and stemming the loss of skills, young people and money. The multiplier effect of increased disposable income on little businesses and property values in the space is also expected to be substantial.

Even a lot of apparently, Bitmain has also promised to partner with schools and academic institutions in Milam County to equip local students and residents with the technical and professional skills required for careers at the data facility. To underline its seriousness regarding its investment plans, the company has already announced recruitment for several positions at the Rockdale data center including engineers, technicians, senior management, sales associates, finance associates and research associates.

An Emerging Pattern

According to the statement from Bitmain, the Rockdale data center may be a key component of Bitmain’s strategic investment and growth plans within North America.

Since being based in China in 2013, Bitmain has grown in the premier maker of bitcoin mining instrumentation, dominant an estimated 70 % of the market. The ongoing North american growth drive is a key a part of its global expansion as it expands across Asia and Europe and prepares to go public later this year.

“Bitmain is truly honored to announce this news and is happy to work with local partners, government and stakeholders in realizing this vision, throughout the initial set-up phase, operations and on the far side,” said Jeff Stearns, executive vice president and direct of operations for Bitmain’s North America division.