Central District City Council candidates discuss data centers

Sioux Falls City Council candidates for the upcoming June 2 primary election have addressed the contentious issue of data center development within the city and statewide. The discussion centered on how these facilities will integrate with existing zoning designations, qualify for economic incentives, and manage natural resource consumption. Candidate DeBoer expressed significant concern regarding water usage, advocating for the protection of limited natural resources while acknowledging the 'inevitability' of data centers and the importance of not falling behind technologically. Kunz echoed these concerns, calling for restrictions on water and utility usage to prevent rising costs. He also suggested restrictions on AI due to its resource demands versus benefits, and emphasized the need for greater public input on data center decisions. Okuwe shared similar worries about water and increasing energy bills. Trzynka underscored the importance of the city being proactive in its approach to data centers. He noted the temptation to reject them outright but believes this is not a long-term feasible solution. One candidate, McKinley, did not respond to interview requests.