A new data center may soon rise in Butte, Montana, as Sabey Data Centers, a leading U.S.-based developer and operator, has reportedly acquired 600 acres of land in the Montana Connections Business Park, located at the intersection of German Gulch Road and Rick Jones Way. The parcel, valued at approximately $1.2 million, remains under contract as the Butte-Silver Bow Council has extended the closing deadline from October 15, 2025, to February 11, 2026. To support the project’s power needs, Sabey signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with NorthWestern Energy in late 2024 to supply 50MW of capacity beginning in 2027, with scalability up to 250MW or more by 2029.
NorthWestern, whose regulated portfolio includes hydroelectric, wind, coal, gas, and solar generation, derives roughly 35% of its Montana capacity from hydropower—aligning with Sabey’s focus on sustainable infrastructure. While Sabey has formally confirmed plans for one data center in Butte, multiple reports including coverage from The Missoulian suggest a potential second facility in development. During an October 14 investor call, Rob Corbin, Senior Vice President of Energy Development at Sabey, hinted at broader ambitions: “We’re looking to move to Montana for a couple of locations there.”
Further evidence supports this expansion. Regulatory filings with the Montana Public Service Commission reference multiple “data centers,” and NorthWestern Energy has acknowledged the existence of two separate non-disclosure agreements with Sabey. When asked for comment, a NorthWestern Energy spokesperson said: “It is not appropriate for NorthWestern Energy to comment on this topic. The requests for protective orders include proprietary and confidential information accessible only to Commission staff under nondisclosure agreements.”
At a Missoula economic conference earlier this year, Mike Cashell, a NorthWestern executive, alluded to an unnamed second facility, which CEO Brian Bird later suggested could involve a government-related contract. A joint venture between Sabey Corporation and National Real Estate Advisors, Sabey Data Centers operates and develops facilities across major U.S. markets, including Seattle, Quincy, and East Wenatchee (WA); New York City; Austin (TX); Umatilla (OR); and Ashburn (VA).
