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NOAA to site 'Rhea' AI supercomputer at Fairmont's I-79 Technology Park after $300M infrastructure project
Summary
Jim Estock of the High‑tech Foundation said NOAA designated I‑79 Technology Park for AI systems, launched about $300 million in infrastructure upgrades, and expects the Rhea supercomputer to arrive in roughly two months, positioning Marion County for new tech investment.
Jim Estock, president and chief executive officer of the High‑tech Foundation, told the audience at the State of the City that the I‑79 Technology Park has been designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the site for the agency’s AI-systems work.
Estock said NOAA launched about a $300,000,000 infrastructure improvement project for the park about a year and a half ago to support supercomputing capacity and related facility upgrades. To host the new systems, the park used modular data-center systems and prepared a large pad with power and cooling infrastructure.
“The computer’s name is Rhea … is gonna be one of the most advanced AI supercomputers on the planet, and it’s gonna be right here in Marion County,” Estock said, adding that Rhea is expected to arrive in roughly two months. He called the investment “transformative,” and said the region has a chance to capture part of a larger AI-driven economic opportunity.
Estock urged continued collaboration among county and city governments, the private sector and educational institutions to maximize benefits from the investment and to support future federal recruitment and contracting opportunities.
Next steps: Estock said further hardware and campus investments are expected over the next three to five years; Fairmont leaders said they will work with regional partners to align workforce and infrastructure plans.
