Ames City Council to review data center proposal near airport
The Ames City Council is reviewing a data center proposal from LightEdge near the James H. Banning Municipal Airport. The project, planned in phases over ten years, requires significant electrical capacity and would necessitate FAA approval for land sale. The city council has scheduled a public listening session to gather resident feedback.
The Ames City Council has initiated the review process for a proposed data center development by LightEdge, slated for approximately 10.86 acres along Aviation Way, adjacent to the James H. Banning Municipal Airport. The project is anticipated to unfold in phases over a decade, contingent on customer demand, and would require Federal Aviation Administration approval for the sale of airport land.
City officials have outlined a three-meeting review process at City Hall. The initial meeting on June 23 will provide a general overview without public comment or decisions. A dedicated "Listening Session" is scheduled for June 30, allowing residents to offer input on the proposal. The council will then reconsider the feedback on July 14.
The facility's initial phase is projected to demand three megawatts of electricity, increasing to six megawatts for the second phase, with a potential full buildout requiring up to 25 megawatts. Ames Electric Services has raised concerns regarding electrical capacity, infrastructure, and potential impacts on utility rates, prompting officials to emphasize that the developer must bear all project-related costs to avoid burdening existing utility customers.
The property is currently zoned as Planned Industrial, which permits data centers. City officials have clarified that the proposal is in its preliminary review stages, and no decisions have been made.