TL;DR

  • A Labor Agreement Built Around People: Quantica Infrastructure and the Southeastern Montana Building and Construction Trades Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to guide union construction for the Big Sky Campus, a large-scale data center and energy project.
  • Workforce Development as a Core Commitment: The agreement establishes a framework focused on apprenticeship opportunities, training pathways, workforce development, and qualified local labor.
  • Long-Term Benefits for Montana: The partnership is designed to support job creation, career development, and economic activity while helping deliver critical infrastructure for the state’s future.

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As discussions around data centers often focus on power, technology, and infrastructure, one critical component can sometimes get overlooked: the people who build them.

For the Big Sky Campus, Quantica Infrastructure, LLC (“Quantica”) and the Southeastern Montana Building and Construction Trades Council (SEMTBCTC) are working to make workforce development part of the project from the beginning.

The two organizations recently announced a labor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will help guide construction of the Big Sky Campus, a large-scale data center and energy project being developed by Big Sky Digital Infrastructure (BSDI), a Quantica company.

The agreement establishes a cooperative framework focused on workforce development, apprenticeship and training pathways, project stability, and qualified local labor. It also creates opportunities to expand participation in the skilled trades while supporting construction of the infrastructure needed to power the next generation of digital growth.

For Montana’s construction workforce, that means more than jobs on a single project. It means opportunities for training, career development, and long-term participation in an industry that continues to grow across the country.

“The Big Sky Campus represents a significant opportunity for Montana’s skilled trades workforce,” said Clint A. McCulloch, President of SEMTBCTC and Business Manager of UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 30. “We are pleased to work alongside Quantica to help create family-supporting careers, expand apprenticeship opportunities, and ensure Montana workers have a role in building the infrastructure that will support the state’s future economy.”

The partnership also reflects a broader goal shared by both organizations: ensuring that major infrastructure investment creates lasting local benefits.

Through apprenticeship programs, training opportunities, and a focus on qualified local labor, the agreement is intended to help build a highly skilled workforce while creating pathways into the construction trades for future generations of Montana workers.

“Major infrastructure projects like the Big Sky Campus have the potential to deliver meaningful economic benefits when they prioritize skilled labor and long-term workforce development,” said Riley McCauley, Vice President of SEMTBCTC and Representative of Western States Regional Council of Carpenters. “We see a real opportunity to support a strong, skilled workforce in Montana by partnering with Quantica on apprenticeship programs, training pipelines, and local hiring efforts, helping create durable career pathways while supporting responsible infrastructure development in the region.”

For Quantica, the agreement aligns with the company’s vision for how large-scale infrastructure projects should be developed.

“Our vision for the Big Sky Campus extends beyond digital infrastructure,” said John Chesser, Chief Executive Officer of Quantica. “We are committed to creating high-quality jobs, supporting workforce development, and building lasting opportunities for Montanans. This agreement reflects our belief that strong partnerships with Montana workers can help deliver world-class infrastructure safely, efficiently, and with meaningful benefits for our communities.”

The Big Sky Campus is expected to bring substantial investment, long-term employment, and economic activity to the region. BSDI has also emphasized its commitment to funding the new generation and infrastructure required for the campus without increasing electricity costs for Montana ratepayers.

As development moves forward, the agreement provides a framework for ensuring that the benefits of the project extend beyond the infrastructure itself and into the workforce, businesses, and communities that will help build it.