LOWELL — The Markley Group officially launched its Keeping Lowell in the Loop campaign Thursday, an effort aimed at stemming the tide of negative reaction to the Lowell Data Center and convincing Lowell officials to lift the moratorium on the business’ efforts to expand.
Markley has been at the center of controversy in the Mill City over the last year, a battle that’s being mirrored in communities across the United States.
The issue exploded locally during a fiery public information forum on June 29. The session was planned to gather input from all sides on potential zoning issues, but instead devolved into heated exchanges, speakers being shouted down and even the removal of a 14-year old girl from the auditorium hosting the gathering.
In March of 2026, the City Council passed a 360-day moratorium on the expansion of existing data centers and the construction of any new ones. Since that time, Markley has been sued by residents and groups, while also countersuing the city.
“We hear our community’s call for more communication, and we welcome it,” said Jeff Markley, CEO of the company. “We’re committed to operating a world-class facility that serves as the digital backbone of Massachusetts and the region. We don’t cut corners as we serve our more than 500 customers in this community. We hope this campaign helps our community have a better understanding of their neighbor.”
Photo from inside Markley’s Lowell facility.
The information on the site distinguishes Markley’s Lowell facility, a multi-tenant colocation center serving local hospitals, banks, and universities, from the large, single-customer “hyperscale” data centers that have drawn national controversies.
In a press release, the Markley Group describes Keeping Lowell in the Loop as a campaign to directly address questions and claims that have circulated about the facility, including its water use, generator noise, air quality impact, tax payments, and community giving.
Citing independent sources, such as the Lowell Regional Water Utility, the Federal Highway Administration, NeighborhoodScout, and an independent VHB Engineering analysis, the site distinguishes Markley’s operations from the large-scale, single-customer “hyperscale” data centers at the heart of national scrutiny.
One of the many server rooms inside Markley’s Lowell facility.
“There’s been a lot of misinformation about what this facility is and how it operates,” said Jaclyn Casey, Marketing Manager at Markley’s Lowell facility and a Lowell resident.. “We wanted to give our neighbors an easy, straightforward place to get the facts and understand what’s at stake.”
The campaign encourages residents to sign a petition asking Lowell’s City Council to reconsider the moratorium and to contact their council members about their concerns.
The website can be found at www.keepinglowellintheloop.com/.
