City of Festus, data center opponents announce meetings

The Festus City Council has scheduled a special meeting for March 30 at Festus High School to consider and possibly vote on a development agreement for a proposed data center with developer CRG. City Attorney Brian Malone and City Clerk Leah Smith indicated that Mayor Sam Richards plans to motion for a public comment period, which would require a three-fourths council approval to allow speakers. Simultaneously, Wake Up Jeffco, a group actively opposing the data center project, will host a community town hall meeting on March 29 at the Festus American Legion. The event aims to provide updates on the hyperscale data center and will feature attorney Steve Jeffery to answer questions, with invitations extended to Festus City Council candidates. According to Mayor Sam Richards, CRG's project represents an initial $6 billion investment. The proposed agreement stipulates that CRG will not request real property tax abatement but will seek partial personal property tax abatement from the Jefferson County Port Authority. The developer has committed to annual community development payments to the city, ranging from $3 million to $5 million over ten years, contingent on receiving Port Authority tax abatements. Key provisions of the agreement, detailed in Bill 4876, include CRG's acquisition of 361 acres north of Hwy. 67, responsibility for all energy usage and expanded energy infrastructure through an agreement with Ameren Missouri, and payment for all required water and sewer improvements. CRG also agrees to purchase water exclusively from the city, use advanced cooling technologies without adverse impact to the city’s water supply, and comply with all environmental, noise, and light ordinances. Additionally, the developer will fund necessary street and traffic improvements and administer a voluntary buyout program for 12 homes identified within 1,000 feet of the project area, based on fair market value as of June 1, 2025.