Central City residents seek answers on proposed South Side data center at meeting
Residents of Central City, Iowa, attended a public meeting to express concerns and seek answers from Aurum Capital regarding a proposed data center project. The Central City Council is in the process of drafting an ordinance to establish rules for data centers, addressing community concerns about environmental impact, water usage, and the potential effect on the town's character. The developer stated the facility would use a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water consumption.
Residents of Central City, Iowa, packed a meeting Thursday evening to seek answers from Aurum Capital regarding a proposed data center on the city's south side, near the Linn County Fairgrounds. The meeting followed a special Central City Council work session to discuss drafting an ordinance for data centers.
Community members voiced frustrations and concerns about the project's potential environmental impact and its effect on daily life. Jayce Linn of Central City questioned the comparison of the data center to other businesses like bars or restaurants, arguing that a data center would not attract visitors and enhance the city as a tourist spot. Mayor Don Gray noted that the city is weighing the data center's potential contribution to the tax base, emphasizing its importance for small towns, and assured the public of future hearings before any ordinance is passed.
Aurum Capital outlined plans for an 18,000-square-foot facility, stating it would employ a closed-loop, non-water-based cooling system to mitigate water usage concerns. Central City Council member Dustin Moyer confirmed that the city is actively incorporating water-use protections into the proposed ordinance, acknowledging the critical importance of water in the community. The City Council has not yet passed the data center ordinance.