Millinocket, ME – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King joined Governor Mills; community leaders; and representatives from Nautilus Data Technologies, Our Katahdin, and CapZone Analytics to celebrate Nautilus becoming the first tenant for the 1,400-acre former Great Northern Paper Mill site. 

Nautilus has developed the world’s most environmentally innovative, water-cooled data center.  The company will use its patented water-cooling technology and 100% hydroelectric power to provide high-performance computing without negatively impacting the environment. The data center’s customers will include The Jackson Laboratory, Maine Municipal Association, and Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

“I am delighted to welcome Nautilus to Maine.  The innovative technology this remarkable company has developed will make this data center one of the greenest facilities in the world,” said Senator Collins.  “It is fascinating that the abundant natural resources that led to a paper mill being built here more than a century ago are a major factor in the mill’s rebirth.  But natural resources are only a factor.  The real credit for this marvelous development goes to the people of the Katahdin Region. The good jobs created during construction and through operations of the Nautilus center are but an early return on the investment in cooperation among members of the community and all levels of government.”

“As the global economy continues to emphasize both the importance of digital infrastructure and the urgency of confronting climate change, sustainable projects like this are the blueprint for Maine’s future,” said Senator King. “The new Nautilus facility is an important step to revitalize the regional economy, which will put Maine on the map as a leader in digital innovation, further our state’s longstanding commitment to environmentally-friendly industry, and create good jobs that strengthen our communities.”

Senators Collins and King have been longstanding supporters of the effort to transform and revitalize the site of the former Millinocket mill.  In 2018, the Senators announced that the Economic Development Administration awarded Our Katahdin a $5.3 million grant that they advocated for.  The funding helped the nonprofit build critical infrastructure, including roads, water, sewer, power, and broadband, to support future businesses at the former mill site.