HIVE Digital Technologies is taking a major step toward creating Eastern Canada’s first sovereign artificial intelligence factory.

Through its subsidiary, BUZZ HPC (High Performance Computing), the company announced on May 8, 2026, that it has contracted a new fiber optic network and an upgrade to the carrier transport network at its Grand Falls data center in New Brunswick.

This infrastructure project is a vital part of transforming the HIVE New Brunswick campus into a Tier III facility capable of handling high-performance computing (HPC).

HIVE has committed approximately $3.1 million over the next five years to complete this stage of development.

Related: Wall Street analysts maintain buy rating for HIVE Digital stock

Building the digital superhighway

The money for this project comes from HIVE’s recent $115 million fundraise.

The goal is to convert the existing Grand Falls site, which already has 70 megawatts (MW) of power, into a 50 MW “AI factory” designed specifically for large companies, governments, and sensitive workloads.

To move massive amounts of data, BUZZ is partnering with Canada’s largest telecommunications carrier.

The upgrade will include dedicated high-capacity fiber lines with speeds of 100 Gbps and 400 Gbps. Work on the new network is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026.

The race for AI sovereignty

Frank Holmes, Executive Chairman of HIVE and BUZZ, believes that owning this infrastructure is a matter of national importance. “AI is the new industrial race,” Holmes stated.

He argued that countries with their own AI factories increase their productivity and keep their data safe within their own borders. According to Holmes, nations without this infrastructure will be forced to “rent intelligence” from foreign countries.

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“The fiber overbuild is the superhighway that moves that intelligence to customers,” Holmes added. “Power plus fiber plus GPUs equals an AI factory.”

Connecting computing power to customers

While power is necessary, HIVE’s leadership emphasizes that it is only half of the puzzle. Aydin Kilic, President and CEO of HIVE, explained that a network capable of carrying that power to customers is equally critical.

By securing this dedicated network, HIVE aims to provide the reliability and speed the AI market requires. Kilic noted that HIVE’s GPU cloud business is expected to double this year, growing from 5,500 to 11,000 GPUs.

Craig Tavares, President and COO of BUZZ, highlighted that the Grand Falls site is being designed specifically for Canada’s needs. He noted the facility is Canadian-owned and operated, providing a secure and scalable space for sensitive data.

With 32 acres available for expansion and a Tier III design already underway, BUZZ is positioning the campus to be one of the largest sovereign AI hubs in the country.

Related: HIVE Digital secures $115 million for massive AI expansion

This story was originally published by TheStreet on May 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Innovation section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.