'This is the railroad': Greater St. Louis Inc. CEO warns cities not to turn down data centers
Missouri officials and utility leaders discussed the rapid growth of hyperscale data centers and the need to expand the state’s electricity infrastructure. Projects involving Amazon, Google and Nebius are underway or beginning in Montgomery County and Independence, while Gov. Mike Kehoe acknowledged local opposition and said lawmakers may establish additional guardrails.
Missouri officials, utility executives and business leaders gathered in Jefferson City for the Power MO summit, where data center development and its effect on the state’s energy system dominated the discussion. Greater St. Louis Inc. CEO Ron Kitchens argued that communities hosting hyperscale facilities could gain population and economic activity, while Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said the state is at a pivotal point as demand for electricity accelerates.
Speakers highlighted new Amazon and Google data centers in Montgomery County and a Nebius project in Independence, which state officials said represent more than $40 billion in announced investment. Missouri Public Service Commission Chair Kayla Hahn and Ameren Missouri executive Rob Dixon said the state will need to rapidly expand generation and transmission capacity. Kehoe acknowledged opposition to projects along Highway 70 in Montgomery County and said the Missouri legislature is likely to consider additional data center guardrails.