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The town of Bagneaux-sur-Loing in Seine-et-Marne is shifting from the abandoned Balnéoli housing project to a data center initiative led by the Essor group in partnership with Theia Energy. This new project aims to establish a data center combined with digital greenhouses and aquaculture, utilizing heat generated by servers to grow 50 tons of tomatoes annually.

The decision to pivot was influenced by a lack of housing demand in the area, as noted by Mayor Claude Jamet, who emphasized the strain on local schools. The project is now progressing with support from the state and local authorities, retaining parts of the former factory's structure, including its iconic smokestacks. Financial details and a timeline for the project are yet to be determined, but it appears to be on track for successful implementation.