Amazon promises $7 million in community contributions to rural Missouri amid local opposition to data center
Amazon announced a $10 billion data center campus in Montgomery City, Missouri, including $7 million in community contributions. The project faces a lawsuit from residents citing a lack of transparency and opposition to tax abatements. Amazon is also addressing water usage with new cooling techniques and managing electricity costs according to state law.
Amazon has announced plans to invest $10 billion in a new data center campus in Montgomery City, Missouri, projecting 400 direct jobs and thousands of construction positions. The company simultaneously pledged $7 million in community contributions, including $3 million for emergency dispatch services and an additional $3 million for various community programs in Montgomery County, alongside a $150,000 Community Fund.
This significant investment comes amidst vocal opposition from local residents, who have filed a lawsuit against the county. Opponents, including resident Sharon Ridgley, accuse the county of a lack of transparency and argue that large corporations do not require local tax abatements. They express concern that the data center development threatens the area's agricultural traditions. However, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe defended the project, emphasizing the economic benefits and the importance of AI development.
The Amazon project is slated for a location across the highway from an existing Google data center currently under construction in Montgomery County, marking it as the second major data center development in the area. Presiding Commissioner Ryan Poston justified the millions in tax abatements by stating that the companies will contribute significantly more in real estate taxes. Amazon also detailed plans to address environmental concerns, particularly regarding water usage, by implementing efficient water cooling techniques and partnering with Arable Labs to reduce groundwater withdrawals by an estimated 100 million gallons. Furthermore, Amazon will bear all costs for connecting to the electric grid, as mandated by Senate Bill 4.