data centers

Around 100 people opposed to the proposed data center filled the Leavenworth County planning meeting room, pushing for more scrutiny on regulations. A countywide moratorium on data center development expired this week.

The Missouri House Future Caucus created a new checklist to help local communities consider data center proposals as they move to the state. Among the questions are how resources like water will be protected, and how the local community will benefit after tax incentives and infrastructure costs.

The Kansas City Plan Commission unanimously blocked a motion for a 384-foot data center on top of a historic building in the Quality Hill neighborhood. Community groups want a total ban on future data centers.

A Miami-based developer submitted a proposal to replace a historic building in downtown Kansas City with a 20-story data center. Then they worked with a Georgia-based organization to attach a preservation easement on the building. Residents worry it’s a fishy way to win tax incentives.

The Edgerton City Council unanimously overrode the planning commission's denial of a $860 million data center project. Some Edgerton residents say the decision made them lose trust in their elected officials.

The City Planning Commission has yet to approve the proposal to build a 384-foot data center in Kansas City’s Quality Hill neighborhood. Neighbors worry the project could drain resources and ignore historic preservation

Construction began in April as Beale Infrastructure expanded its project scope to include four buildings and nearly 2.9 million square feet. One resident called it "a breach of understanding with this community."

While Missouri lawmakers did not advance bills to restrict data centers or regulate their water and energy usage, more communities are speaking out and passing their own local moratoriums and restrictions. Next year's session will bring more chances for state legislation.

Across the country, data centers have attracted controversy for everything from overuse of utilities to tax breaks. Now, some Missourians are trying to track down those details through public records requests, appearances at public meetings and other grassroots efforts.

The announcement came hours before a Montgomery County anti-data center group released a survey that showed widespread opposition to a planned center there.

De Soto Mayor Rick Walker says revenue from a planned $3 billion data center campus is an opportunity to grow the city. But one resident is concerned that leaders are moving too fast and not weighing the negative impacts on the community and environment.

A new report from Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says Missouri is facing a budget cliff. Gov. Mike Kehoe says he thinks the state’s budget needs to shrink as a result, and suggests some nonprofits or local municipalities could fund some programs instead.