# Project Stratus Site Visits Scoping and Meetings This page collects the coordination, scoping, and meeting record behind [[Project Stratus]] from April 2024 onward — the running operational backbone of the development effort. It tracks the project from the moment it was still called "Project Acorn" and described as a grey-water-cooled data center, through the June 2024 airport site visit and the October 2024 utilities meeting with a Tupelo Bayou treatment-plant tour, into the richest water/effluent thread in this production (the 5/15/24 follow-up, with the 1,000 MW load figure, the Brewer Lake / Greers Ferry water-supply constraint, the 36-inch force main, and Eurofins sampling), and forward to the parcel-acreage growth and the December 2025 status-and-scheduling exchanges. Throughout, it foregrounds two recurring threads: who is responsible for cost-sharing on infrastructure, and the water-availability ceiling that frames the whole project. ## What's inside - **PROD-033** (2024-04-10 / 2024-04-14): [[Corey Parks]]'s "4.9.24 Coordination Meeting Follow-Up & Project Update" to Conway Corp, introducing Project Stratus as formerly "Project Acorn," a grey-water-cooling data center, noting a forthcoming RFI and that [[Garver]] was being engaged; lists sibling codenames "Project Diamond" and "Project Hedron." - **PROD-061** (2024-06-25): [[Corey Parks]]'s attendee roster and logistics for the 6/26/24 Project Stratus site visit at the Conway airport pilot's training room. - **PROD-062** (2024-06-27): [[Corey Parks]]'s post-visit follow-up listing the next-step action items, including developing an "infrastructure design MOU that articulates cost sharing expectations." - **PROD-073 / PROD-074** (May–June 2024 thread, "Project Acorn (Stratus) - 5.15.24 Meeting Follow Up"): The deep water/effluent thread — the 1,000 MW load scenario, the Brewer Lake → 2037 supply ceiling, the ~32-mile Greers Ferry Lake extension, the 36-inch force main as-builts, and the Eurofins wastewater-effluent sampling logistics. PROD-074 is the longer/fuller copy of the same chain. - **PROD-079** (2024-06-26): [[Corey Parks]]'s one-line acknowledgment receiving the RFI response in the same 5.15.24 thread. - **PROD-052** (2024-09-25, fwd of 2024-09-18 invite): The calendar invite for the October 2, 2024 "Project Stratus Site Visit Utilities Meeting" at 900 Oak St. - **PROD-087** (2024-09-27): [[Brett Carroll|Bret Carroll]]'s "Stratus Update" meeting invite (CCC 3rd Floor Executive Conference Room); body empty. - **PROD-079** also carries (2024-09-27) [[Corey Parks]]'s finalized agenda for the Oct 2 utilities meeting, adding a Tupelo Bayou Wastewater Treatment Facility tour. - **PROD-059** (2024-08-07): [[Jack Pillow]]'s "Project Stratus Parcel Map" email reporting total acreage at 764.27. - **PROD-036** (attachment): "Project Stratus Close Site Map - Conway, Arkansas," labeled +/- 1,053 acres with site coordinates. - **PROD-088** (2024-12-11): [[Brett Carroll|Bret Carroll]]'s "STRATUS Update" proposing a meeting date following a Monday discussion. - **PROD-086 / PROD-080 / PROD-081 / PROD-082 / PROD-083 / PROD-084** (2025-12-15 / 2025-12-16, "Stratus" thread): [[Jamie Gates]]'s debrief that "we're moving forward" and a meeting-scheduling exchange seeking the latest on the B&V/state wastewater feedback and the Entergy front. - **PROD-053** (2025-12-16): [[Brett Carroll|Bret Carroll]]'s "Meeting on Stratus" note to [[Jamie Gates]] offering to meet at the Chamber. ## Key takeaways **The project began as "Project Acorn" and was defined by grey-water cooling.** [[Corey Parks]] introduced it to Conway Corp leadership (PROD-033): *"Project Stratus / Formerly known as 'Project Acorn,' this is the data center project we mentioned that could reclaim a high amount of grey water to cool their building."* The same email flags an imminent RFI and the [[Garver]] engagement: *"We received word late this afternoon that a formal RFI would be coming today or tomorrow with a targeted deadline of April 19th. Gates is engaging Garver to identify example projects and/or key contacts to understand how we can avoid recreating the wheel."* Parks framed the stakes: *"This is a community changing type of project from a capital investment, tax creation, and corporate citizen standpoint."* The same update lists two sibling codenames being worked in parallel — *"Project Diamond"* and *"Project Hedron"* — distinct projects from Stratus. **Scale: a 1,000 MW load scenario.** The 5.15.24 follow-up thread records the electrical scale that drives the water demand. [[Corey Parks]] told the Conway Corp water team (PROD-073/074): *"Please disregard the previously shared spreadsheet as the attached considers a 1000MW scenario."* **Site scale: parcel acreage grew to 764.27 acres, with a wider ~1,053-acre site map.** [[Jack Pillow]] reported (PROD-059): *"I've attached two maps with the latest site we've put together for Project Stratus... Our total acreage currently sits at 764.27."* The site-map attachment (PROD-036) is labeled at a larger footprint: *"Project Stratus / +/- 1,053 Acres / Conway, Arkansas / 35° 3'13.54\"N, 92°31'55.42\"W."* **The water constraint is the defining technical fact.** Conway Corp's water-systems engineer [[Mark Ferguson]] laid out the raw-water supply ceiling and the long-horizon fix (PROD-073/074): *"Conway Corp currently gets our raw water from Brewer Lake in Conway County (approximately 11 miles away). This water source is projected to supply sufficient water until the year 2037. Conway Corp is actively partnering with a community water provider to extend infrastructure from Greers Ferry Lake to Conway (approximately 32 miles away). We anticipate this project to have a 10 year timeline. Conway Corp has an emergency water supply intake on Cadron Creek at the northwest corner of our system and an interconnection with Community Water Systems on the east side of our system."* This 2037 ceiling and the multi-decade Greers Ferry extension are the backdrop against which the treated-effluent cooling concept ([[Tupelo Bayou Treated-Effluent Cooling]]) is being pursued. **The wastewater infrastructure: a 36-inch force main across the site, and Eurofins sampling.** The customer requested the conveyance as-builts (PROD-073/074, [[Corey Parks]]): *"Can you all share as built drawings and easement width for the 36-inch force main and long long-term community water plans? Additionally, what is the process, timeline, and cost for us having an affluent sample tested?"* [[Brett McDaniel]] confirmed the as-built work and transmitted the force-main shapefile (PROD-073/074): *"We are working on the as – built data for the 36\" force main... Also attached is the shapefile for the existing wastewater force main across the project site."* Effluent samples went to Eurofins (PROD-073/074, [[Trey Lieblong]]): *"Samples have been collected and delivered to Euro Fins Lab in Little Rock. These were collected on Wednesday, June 12 and delivered same day. It is usually 7-10 day turn around on these samples from the lab."* **Cost-sharing was an explicit, early action item.** The post-site-visit follow-up made infrastructure cost allocation step one (PROD-062, [[Corey Parks]]): *"Develop an infrastructure design MOU that articulates cost sharing expectations – We have requested Stratus share an example, if possible."* The same list raised who-pays questions across utilities, studies, and fees: *"Once Stratus shares the requested information, we'll need to compare existing transformer inventory against Project Stratus specs and confirm delivery timeline,"* *"Confirm any additional fees (impact, levy district, etc.),"* and *"Our staff will meet with Stratus to discuss a development strategy and incentives."* On sampling cost, [[Corey Parks]] chose the more complete (and presumably costlier) option (PROD-073/074): *"Looking at the cost difference, I recommend sampling everything so it is in one report."* The dollar amounts behind these items (the sampling quote, transformer inventory costs, impact/levy fees) live in unproduced attachments and **cannot be verified from this production.** **The customer ("Stratus") was steering the sampling and information requests behind the scenes.** [[Corey Parks]] relayed the customer's instruction to test and share results, naming the customer-side contact only as "Sydney" (PROD-073/074): *"We were supposed to talk locally about the best path forward regarding sampling. Following the call Sydney asked if we could send the sample for testing and share the results."* (The fuller identity of "Sydney" / Sydney Henry of Google is established elsewhere in this production; see the contradiction callout below.) > [!contradiction] Google appears directly in Conway Corporation's records here, which sits against the wiki's standing restraint posture ([[D005 Synthesis]] reaffirmed the wiki does not, on this record, assert Project Stratus is Google's). Recorded as Tier-1 fact and tracked at [[T005 - Google as the Project Stratus Customer]]; promotion to a wiki-level identification is reserved for a D007 dialectic. **The June 26, 2024 airport site visit brought the full economic-development and utility team together.** [[Corey Parks]] set the logistics (PROD-061): *"Please join us for tomorrow's site visit from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. We will meet at the airport in the pilot's training room."* The attendee roster spanned Entergy, AEDC, the City, Conway Corp, and Garver, including *"Bentley Story – Sr. Project Manager, Entergy Arkansas," "Raven Johnson – Project Manager, Arkansas Economic Development Commission," "Bart Castleberry – Mayor, City of Conway," "Bret Caroll – CEO, Conway Corporation,"* and *"Dustin Tackett – Transportation Team Leader, Garver"* and *"Paul Strickland – Sr. Project Manager (Arkansas Water Team), Garver."* The post-visit note (PROD-062) underscored the scale: *"especially one of this magnitude... We continue to inspire confidence in the prospect with our ability to over deliver in a timely manner."* **The October 2, 2024 utilities meeting added a Tupelo Bayou plant tour.** The calendar invite went to the full project group (PROD-052): *"Project Stratus Site Visit Utilities Meeting / When: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 9:00 AM-11:30 AM... Where: 900 Oak St,"* with the note *"Please share with any additional folks who need to be involved once they've signed the required NDA."* The finalized agenda (PROD-079) sequenced a *"9:15 – Medium Voltage Discussion,"* a *"10:00 – Water, Wastewater, and Cooling Water Blowdown Discussion,"* and a *"11:30 – Working Lunch / Tupelo Bayou Wastewater Treatment Facility Tour,"* with [[Corey Parks]] noting *"You will notice the TPWW tour is a new addition to the agenda. That company has requested their Utility Lead see the facility."* **By December 2025 the project was still active and "moving forward," gated on wastewater and Entergy.** [[Jamie Gates]]'s debrief (PROD-086/080/081/082/083/084) reports momentum and names the two open fronts: *"I had a good debrief with Sydney from Stratus today. It feels like we're moving forward. The Conway site currently has a good reputation and good vibes within the company. I think we will soon be at a point where they take our site forward for action. I'd like to get the latest lay of the land with regard to the wastewater feedback y'all got from BV and from the state last week. Also, is there anything new or any material development on the Entergy front?"* [[Brett Carroll|Bret Carroll]] called a meeting in response (PROD-080): *"I think it would be good for this group to for a brief meeting to discuss the matters that you have identified."* The remainder of the thread (PROD-081/082/083/084) is purely scheduling logistics for that meeting. ## People and orgs mentioned - [[Corey Parks]] — Chief Economic Development Officer, [[Conway Development Corporation]]; author of the coordination follow-up, site-visit logistics, action-item list, and most of the 2024 water-thread correspondence (PROD-033, 061, 062, 073, 074, 079). - [[Jack Pillow]] — Director of Economic Development, [[Conway Development Corporation]]; sent the parcel map and the 764.27-acre figure (PROD-059); cc'd on coordination follow-up (PROD-033). - [[Brett McDaniel]] — Conway Corp Chief Operating Officer; handled the 36-inch force-main as-builts and RFI response, acknowledged the coordination notes (PROD-033, 073, 074, 079). - [[Mark Ferguson]] — Conway Corp Water Systems Senior Engineer; authored the Brewer Lake / Greers Ferry water-supply statement and managed the sampling parameters (PROD-073, 074, 079). - [[Brett Carroll|Bret Carroll]] — Conway Corporation CEO ("Bret Caroll" / "Bret Carroll" in these emails; registry title "Brett Carroll"); attended the site visit and convened the December 2025 status meetings (PROD-061, 052, 053, 080, 082, 084, 086, 087, 088). - [[Dale Gottsponer]] — Conway Corp; recipient on coordination and water threads, scheduling participant (PROD-033, 073, 074, 079, 080, 086). - [[Jamie Gates]] — EVP, [[Conway Development Corporation]] / [[Conway Area Chamber of Commerce]]; engaged Garver, served as customer intermediary, and drove the December 2025 status debrief (PROD-033, 059 cc context, 079, 080, 081, 082, 083, 084, 086, 053). - [[Brad Lacy]] — President & CEO, [[Conway Development Corporation]]; site-visit attendee and December 2025 status-thread recipient (PROD-061, 080, 086). - [[Erin Brown]] — Conway Corp; recipient/forward target on the utilities-meeting and Stratus Update invites (PROD-052, 087). - [[Bart Castleberry]] — Mayor, [[City of Conway]]; site-visit attendee (PROD-061, 062). - [[Raven Johnson]] — Project Manager, Arkansas Economic Development Commission; site-visit and utilities-tour attendee (PROD-061, 079). - [[Bentley Story]] — Sr. Project Manager, [[Entergy Arkansas]]; site-visit attendee (PROD-061). - [[Garver]] — engineering firm engaged to identify reclaimed-water example projects (PROD-033); its staff Dustin Tackett and Paul Strickland attended the site visit and utilities meeting (PROD-061, 062, 079). - [[Entergy Arkansas]] — electric provider; represented at the site visit and named as an open "front" in December 2025 (PROD-061, 080, 086). - [[Conway Development Corporation]] — lead economic-development entity coordinating the project (PROD-033, 059, 061, 062). - [[Conway Area Chamber of Commerce]] — affiliated entity in the email signatures and meeting venue (PROD-033, 053, 061). - [[Conway Corporation]] — municipal utility supplying water/wastewater/electric; primary technical respondent on the water thread (PROD-073, 074, 079). - [[City of Conway]] — municipal government; Mayor and City Engineering Director participated in the site visit (PROD-061, 062). - [[Eurofins]] — certified lab in Little Rock that received the wastewater effluent samples (PROD-073, 074). ## Concepts invoked - [[Tupelo Bayou Treated-Effluent Cooling]] — the cooling concept this scoping serves; the Oct 2 meeting included a "Water, Wastewater, and Cooling Water Blowdown Discussion" and a Tupelo Bayou plant tour (PROD-079). - [[Special rate contract]] / [[Developer Reimbursement Agreement]] — foreshadowed by the "infrastructure design MOU that articulates cost sharing expectations" and the "fees (impact, levy district, etc.)" action items (PROD-062). - [[Cost-of-service study]] — context for the December 2025 "wastewater feedback... from BV and from the state" the team was awaiting before advancing (PROD-086). ## Events documented - 2024-04-09 / 2024-04-10 — 4.9.24 coordination meeting and [[Corey Parks]]'s same-day follow-up introducing Stratus (ex-"Project Acorn") and the Garver engagement (PROD-033). - 2024-05-15 → 2024-06 — The 5.15.24 meeting follow-up water/effluent thread: 1,000 MW scenario, Brewer Lake/Greers Ferry supply statement, 36-inch force main as-builts, Eurofins sampling (PROD-073, 074, 079). - 2024-06-12 — Wastewater effluent samples collected and delivered to Eurofins in Little Rock (PROD-073, 074). - 2024-06-26 — Project Stratus airport site visit, 3:30–5:00 pm (PROD-061, 062). - 2024-08-07 — Parcel map shared; total acreage 764.27 (PROD-059). - 2024-09-27 — Finalized agenda and "Stratus Update" invite ahead of the utilities meeting (PROD-079, 087). - 2024-10-02 — Project Stratus Site Visit Utilities Meeting with Tupelo Bayou plant tour (PROD-052, 079). See [[2024-10 Project Stratus Utilities Site Visit]]. - 2024-12-11 — [[Brett Carroll|Bret Carroll]] proposes a Stratus update meeting date (PROD-088). - 2025-12-15 / 2025-12-16 — [[Jamie Gates]] debrief ("moving forward"), and the December 2025 status-and-scheduling exchange on BV/state wastewater feedback and the Entergy front (PROD-086, 080, 081, 082, 083, 084, 053). ## Cross-references - [[2026-06 Conway Corporation Produces Project Stratus Records]] — the production this page belongs to. - [[2024-10 Project Stratus Utilities Site Visit]] — the October 2024 utilities meeting and Tupelo Bayou tour documented here (PROD-052, 079). - [[2025-04 Conway City Council Approves Project Stratus MOU]] — the MOU outcome foreshadowed by the cost-sharing action items (PROD-062). - [[Tupelo Bayou Effluent Study RFQ and Engineering Reports]] — sibling page; the engineering/procurement record that the water-constraint and sampling work here feeds into. - [[Project Stratus Contract Instruments]] — sibling page on the contract/agreement documents in this production. - [[Project Stratus MOU and Reimbursement Negotiation]] — sibling page on the MOU/reimbursement negotiation record. - [[T005 - Google as the Project Stratus Customer]] — the tracked claim under which the "Sydney from Stratus" customer facts on this page are recorded. ## Open questions / follow-ups - **Cost-sharing dollar figures are unproduced.** The "infrastructure design MOU that articulates cost sharing expectations" and the "fees (impact, levy district, etc.)" items (PROD-062) reference cost allocation, but no amounts, the example MOU, or the negotiated split appear in these files. Cannot verify any cost-sharing figures from this production. - **The sampling quote amount is unproduced.** [[Corey Parks]] weighed a "cost difference" and chose to "sample everything" (PROD-073/074), and [[Brett McDaniel]] sent "a quote for sampling the required parameters," but the quote attachment with the actual price was not produced. Cannot verify the sampling cost from this production. - **Transformer inventory and delivery-timeline specifics.** The action items call for comparing "existing transformer inventory against Project Stratus specs" (PROD-062), but no transformer counts, ratings, or lead-time figures are in this set. - **The RFI / spreadsheet attachments are unrecovered here.** PROD-073/074 repeatedly reference attached spreadsheets ("Conway Water Wastewater Flows," the "1000MW scenario" spreadsheet, the force-main shapefile, the geo-tech reports) that are not present as readable extracted text on this page; the substantive figures inside them cannot be read from this production. - **PROD-087 body is empty.** The 2024-09-27 "Stratus Update" invite (PROD-087) carries only header/routing metadata and no body text; its substantive content cannot be verified from the extracted layer. - **December 2025 "wastewater feedback... from BV and from the state."** [[Jamie Gates]] references feedback received "last week" (PROD-086) but the underlying BV/state correspondence and its content are not in this thread. Follow up to obtain the December 2025 BV/state wastewater feedback itself.