Samsung SDS Breaks Ground on 60-MW AI Data Center in Gumi

Groundbreaking comes 10 months after investment agreement at CES
Completion targeted for 2028, operations for 2029
Samsung C&T and local construction firms to pursue mutually beneficial partnerships
Gumi expected to emerge as an AI industry hub

Samsung SDS is moving ahead with the construction of a 60-MW artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, aiming to expand the region's advanced industry ecosystem.

Group photo at the groundbreaking ceremony for Samsung SDS's Gumi AI Data Center [Photo provided by Gumi City]

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Samsung SDS Gumi AI data center was held on November 2 at the former site of Samsung Electronics' Campus 1 in Gongdan-dong, Gumi. About 250 people attended, including North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho, Samsung SDS CEO Lee Jun-hee, and National Assembly members Koo Ja-geun and Kang Myung-gu.

The project moved to the construction phase about 10 months after North Gyeongsang Province, Gumi City, and Samsung SDS signed a memorandum of understanding on investment at CES 2026 in January. The data center will have one underground floor and three above-ground floors. It is scheduled for completion in December 2028 and full-scale operations in March 2029.

From the early stages of the project, Gumi City appointed a dedicated project manager (PM) and launched a one-stop administrative system to support permitting procedures for roads, traffic, landscaping, power, and construction. In December 2025, it formed a one-stop support team led by the deputy mayor, facilitating cooperation among relevant organizations and expediting permits.

The city is also working to ensure the project benefits the local economy. It is expanding opportunities for local businesses to participate in the project, including by holding partnership matchmaking events between Samsung C&T and local construction companies, and laying the groundwork for cooperation so the impact of the large-scale investment can spread throughout the local economy.

Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho said, "The construction of the Samsung SDS data center is a symbolic investment that demonstrates Gumi is the optimal location for South Korea's advanced strategic industries. Using this project as a catalyst, we will strengthen the competitiveness of future industries such as robotics and AI and create an investment environment in which businesses and the local community can grow together."

The start of construction on Samsung SDS's 60-MW data center marks a major turning point as Gumi shifts from a city centered on traditional manufacturing to one focused on AI and advanced industries. Alongside attracting large-scale investment, meaningful cooperation with local businesses will be key to the project's success.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.