Data center discussion deserves a bigger room
Microsoft has purchased about 600 acres in Woodward, Iowa, for a proposed data center campus, but the project still requires City Council approval of a development agreement and site plan. The article criticizes the city for limiting attendance at a public discussion to Woodward residents, arguing that neighboring communities will also face the project’s effects on water, electricity, roads, traffic and stormwater.
Microsoft officials announced at a Woodward community meeting that the company had acquired roughly 600 acres in the Woodward Eco Business Park for a data center campus. Mayor Todd Folkerts said the project cannot proceed until the Woodward City Council approves a development agreement and site plan. Microsoft representatives said the facility would use closed-loop cooling to reduce pressure on the city’s water supply and purchase electricity from a wholesaler to protect residential rates.
The meeting drew criticism after Woodward required attendees to show identification or mail proving they lived in the city, excluding nearby residents and a representative of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. Randy Evans argues that the project’s impacts, including power lines, construction traffic, roads, lighting, noise and stormwater, will extend into Dallas County and surrounding communities, and he calls for future discussions to be open to all affected residents.