Gardner data center plan withdrawn by company after resident opposition

Beale Infrastructure has officially withdrawn its proposal for a 300-acre data center in Gardner, Kansas, following the city's decision not to offer public incentives for the project. The California-based company, which is also developing a data center in De Soto, cited the lack of incentives as the reason for scuttling its Gardner application. The withdrawal comes just two days after a Gardner City Council meeting where approximately 100 residents, including state Senator Doug Shane, voiced strong opposition to the plan. Residents expressed concerns over potential pollution, noise, water consumption (despite the company's claim of lower usage compared to other large data centers), and adverse effects on property values. Nacole Boan, a Spring Hill resident living near the proposed site, expressed immense relief, highlighting the power of community organizing and thanking the city for listening to its constituents. While the City Council took no action on the proposal itself, Mayor Todd Winters noted they adjourned into executive session to discuss attorney-client privilege related to the data center. State Senator Doug Shane had urged the council to halt the process to save time and money. City officials, including Mayor Todd Winters, thanked community members for their engagement and reiterated their commitment to responsible economic development. This marks the second time in six months a data center proposal in southern Johnson County has been withdrawn due to opposition, with Bullock Capital and Colossus Advisors having previously pulled an application for a similar facility in Spring Hill.