Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding
Luis Mata of Ross Construction hammers a foundation mold for a new data center building on Old Shawnee Road near Beacon Street. Pinnacle Telecom, a fiber optic provider in Fort Smith, Ark., is building the data center. Bill Stuckey, Pinnacle business development director, said the building will house data control equipment, and a surrounding yard will have reams of cable. The company seeks to offer fiber optic gig speed network to area businesses, Stuckey said. He said the building should be open by early May. About five or six people could be hired locally, Stuckey said.