What's the deal with Manitoba's AI data centre that got away?
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You know, sometimes you hear something that makes you just scratch your head once and wonder what happened. The news about Bell Canada building a $1.7-billion AI data centre near Regina, well, that's something. For those of us here in Brandon, and really across Manitoba, it feels a bit like we missed out on a real opportunity. We've got the hydro, the land, the cooler climate that data centres need — you'd think we'd be a natural fit, oba nä? It makes you wonder what conversations happened, or maybe didn't happen, to let a project of that scale head west.
### What This Means for Brandon
This isn't just about a big building; it's about jobs and future growth. An investment like that brings a lot of high-tech work and infrastructure improvements.
* Think about the specialized jobs in IT and data management that come with a massive centre like this. That's the kind of work that could keep our young people here, maybe even draw some back to Brandon after university. * It also means a boost for local businesses, from construction to services, during the build and ongoing operations. * And for the province, it's a huge tax base and a statement about being a player in the tech economy.
It's a big deal. We're a province with a history of innovation, especially in agriculture, and this kind of tech investment could have really diversified our economy. Brandon University is turning out smart graduates in computer science; imagine the opportunities for them right here in the Assiniboine River Valley. It’s hard not to feel a bit of a sting when a project with such potential ends up just over the provincial line. You want to see that kind of growth, that kind of future-proofing, happening right here at home once.
Leah Fehr-Broesky, MiTL Sports Desk, Brandon.
My morning colleagues on the Wire are talking about this and more — you should listen once at mornings.live.