data centers

A judge sided with the city of Independence and denied residents’ efforts to put massive tax breaks for an AI data center up to voters.

Independence, Missouri, residents will vote on April 7 for their next mayor and to fill two at-large city council seats. Recent debates over tax incentives for a massive data center could factor into the races.

Los Angeles-based Metrobloks says it will build a $1.4 billion AI data center in Liberty, Missouri, after the city approved a bond and 25-year tax incentive package. The news comes as Independence residents organize against a data project there.

Independence, Missouri, residents will vote on April 7 for their next mayor and to fill two at-large city council seats. Recent debates over tax incentives for a massive data center could factor into the election.

Construction trades are riding the biggest building boom in decades, in part due to data center projects. But the artificial intelligence that the facilities power could upend the job market for everyone else.

There aren't many details on what Monarch or NextEra envision for western Sedgwick County, in part because people selling land have been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements with the companies.

The city of Independence blocked residents from starting a petition that could force a citywide vote after city council approved more than $6 billion in tax breaks. Now opponents are suing to force the process to move forward.

A group of Independence residents opposed to a massive data center is gearing up to force a public vote on it. But the city argues approving their petition would violate its governing rules.

The city approved massive tax breaks because they say the money and protections city will receive make it a good deal. Opponents want to put the incentives on the ballot so residents can weigh in.

Independence City Council set to vote Monday night on AI data center tax incentives. Approval would mean the data center developer would pay a fraction of the taxes it would normally owe on buildings, land and equipment.

Cities are grappling with how to proceed concerning the increase in data centers in Missouri. New legislation would require water permits for large-load consumers, and make them pay for grid infrastructure upgrades needed to provide them electricity.

Western Kansas has the potential to capitalize on our region’s growing energy demands even as rural populations shrink. There’s plenty of land, wind and sun to be a center for renewable energy production. But skepticism is bringing these projects to a halt.