Osawatomie, Kansas, residents seek ban on data centers amid development plans
Residents in Osawatomie, Kansas, have submitted a petition for a city ordinance to ban "High Impact Data Centers" due to concerns over water usage, electricity demand, noise, and infrastructure strain. This opposition arises as Alcove Development and MDH Partners plan a multibillion-dollar data center project, Project Catalyst, in the area. If certified, the ordinance could be adopted by the City Council or put to a public vote.
Residents of Osawatomie, Kansas, a town of 4,000, are actively opposing the development of a multibillion-dollar data center, dubbed Project Catalyst, planned for a nearby site. A petition with nearly 300 signatures has been submitted to the Osawatomie City Council, proposing an ordinance to outright ban "High Impact Data Centers" within the city.
The proposed ban cites concerns including potential strain on public utility infrastructure, excessive water and electricity consumption, and noise and heat disturbances. If Miami County election authorities verify the required 189 signatures, the City Council will have 20 days to either accept the ordinance or put it before voters in a special election.
The Project Catalyst is a venture by Lawrence-based Alcove Development and Atlanta-based MDH Partners, who are currently studying a 283-acre site for a hyperscale data center, with the end-user yet to be named. Residents like Lee Brewster, who recently returned to Osawatomie, expressed worries about the potential negative impact on property values. Brewster's attempt to voice concerns at a recent council meeting was denied due to a notification oversight.
Adding to resident distrust, Alcove Development faced criticism for a failed affordable senior living project at the Old Swenson Elementary School site, which has since deteriorated. Resident Troy Harp, leading the current petition efforts, has questioned the developer's accountability, while Alcove partner GW Weld attributed the failure to a lack of city amenities required for housing grants. This history has fueled unease among residents regarding the data center project and the potential for unfulfilled promises by developers or future end-users.