This article originally appeared as a "Spotlight" page in North Country This Week.

MASSENA -- North Country Colocation Services (NCCS) is one of the largest Digital Asset Data Centers in the world, located in a former Reynolds/Alcoa plant.

The NCCS  data center is focused on Bitcoin mining.

You can compare it to the mining of gold, where there’s a physical search for gold dust ongoing, and here, it happens virtually, with the computers searching for the next few blocks to add to the blockchain.

Since locating in Massena in 2017, NCCS has grown four times the size of  its initial operation.

Some of the original employees who set up the first racks and unboxed computers now hold management positions.

Powered by clean energy from the Moses-Saunders Power Dam, NCCS employs around 85 Full-Time workers and is one of the largest employers in Massena.

One of the largest taxpayers in St. Lawrence County, NCCS paid $5 million in state sales tax and local property and school taxes in 2023. 

NCCS uses local and regional suppliers whenever possible, injecting tens of millions of dollars into the local economy and supporting jobs that depend on NCCS.

Competitive wages, generous benefits

NCCS offers competitive wages and excellent medical benefits including health insurance at no cost to employees for an individual plan.

For all employees, NCCS automatically contributes 5% of gross pay to the 401K retirement plan, regardless of employee participation.

NCCS believes in a healthy work-life balance and offers additional support to employees’ families, including holiday baskets for each child on Easter amd turkeys for Thanksgiving family dinner.

NCCS also hosts a Family Appreciation Summer Fun Day & BBQ.

NCCS supports our local communities

NCCS works with the local community very closely and has sponsored all kinds of events including kids’ fishing tournaments and back-to-school days.

NCCS also supports local firemen and first responders in many ways.

Here are some of the many community contributions by NCCS:

Town of Massena:

• NCCS Platinum Sponsorship - Beachapalooza Event 2023
• NCCS Beachapalooza & Pumpkinpalooza raffle donations: Lifetime Angler Kayak, 2 Children’s Bicycles & 2 Adult Bicycles.
• Donation to the Massena Rotary Club in support of their 64th Annual Pancake Breakfast
• Donation to the Massena Museum (2023 Storage Fund)

Fish Massena:

• Platinum Sponsor of Rockin-the-River Events & Kids Fishing Derby (2022)
• Rockin–the-River Raffle Item Donation: 10-piece Camping Set & Fishing set, Lifetime Angler Kayak

Firefighters & Emergency Responders:

• NCCS Donated 3 shipping containers to Massena Fire Department for winter training space for local firefighters.
• Top Sponsor of Massena Volunteer Fire Department Golf Tournament Fundraiser
• Main Sponsor of  Rescue Squad’s Haunted House and Craft Show Community Fundraiser (2023)
• Food Donation in support of the Police Activities League (PALS) beginning & end of year BBQ. (2023)
• Sponsorship of Massena Memorial Hospital Golf Tournament Fundraiser (2023)
• Food Cost Donation to Hospital Auxiliary for annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser (2023)

Massena Central School District:

• Ready-4-School Events (2022 & 2023) Donation Items: 500 Water-bottles, Drawstring Bags, Keychain Cell Phone Holders, Pens & Pencils
• Donation to replace lost Back-the-Pack Program Funds, continuing to provide Meals & Snacks to 500 students in need
• Donation of 150 water bottles in support of their Walk-with-a-Doc Event. (2022)

Chamber Memberships & Donations:

• Member of the St. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce & Leadership Circle
• Top Sponsor for Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce Concerts-in-the-Park Series. (2022 & 2023)

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe:

• Top Sponsor of the Akwesasne Art Market & Juried Show (2022, 2023)