Green Computer Center

HOLYOKE, Mass. — Gov. Deval Patrick has pledged $25 million toward the construction of a $100 million Green High Performance Computer Center slated for a site in Holyoke’s canal district.

 

The center will be powered largely by wind and hydroelectric power from the Connecticut River and will serve as a showcase of green energy use and green facilities design.

 

The center will provide an infrastructure for research computing in life sciences, clean energy and green computing and will catalyze the development of a downtown technology district known as the Holyoke Innovation District.

 

A consortium comprising Boston University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Massachusetts and Northeastern University has committed another $40 million toward the project.

 

Other collaborators include private partners EMC and Cisco, the City of Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

 

Cisco has also signed an agreement with the City of Holyoke for the company’s first “Smart + Connected Community” in the United States and to develop a pilot for a “Neighborhood of the Future” in the city.

 

Partner organizations are currently considering two locations — one at Open Square off Lyman Street and another on Bigelow Street. Officials expect to choose a site by May, with a groundbreaking for the GHPCC to take place this fall.

 

Learn more about the initiative at www.innovateholyoke.com.