Work has officially begun at the future site of Bell Canada’s AI date centre near Regina.

In a written update issued Monday, the company revealed early work at the site began on April 21, a day after the development was given the green light by the Rural Municipality of Sherwood.

The 300-megawatt facility is projected to cost $1.7 billion to build and generate up to $12 billion in long-term economic value.

Bell Canada highlighted eight Prairie-based companies that have been engaged in early construction efforts. They include Hipperson Construction, Soletanche Bachy Canada, Ardel Steel, Amrize, and Watermark consulting out of Regina as well as Maxie’s Excavating and Red Pelican out of Saskatoon.

Pre-engineered components will be manufactured by Behlen Industries based out of Brandon, Man.

“This project is about more than just building critical digital infrastructure – it’s about creating sustained opportunities for Saskatchewan, its workers and communities,” Bell AI Fabric President Dan Rink said in the update.

“When we committed to making this home to Canada’s largest purpose-built AI data centre, we also committed to doing it with the people and companies who know this ground.”

According to Bell, the telecom convened its first meeting with its Workforce Steering Committee with George Gordon Developments Ltd. which focused on advancing Indigenous procurement, workforce development and education partnerships.

The first portion of the facility, dubbed a “data hall,” is expected to come online in the first half of 2027.