Arthur residents question PathOne’s data center plans
Residents of Arthur, Iowa, held a meeting with Path One Data Centers to question plans for a proposed facility in Ida County. Topics of concern included noise, environmental impact, water, and electricity use, as well as the benefits for the community. A moratorium on data center development is currently in place in Ida County.
Residents of Arthur, a community in Ida County, Iowa, recently met with representatives from Path One Data Centers to discuss the company's plans for a proposed data center. Path One, which has also held presentations in Sioux and other counties, shared details about a facility ranging from 10 to 25 megawatts that would use a "closed-loop water system" consuming 350,000 to 700,000 gallons of water annually.
Company leaders acknowledged that a moratorium is currently in place in Ida County, preventing them from starting any new data center projects. However, they expressed support for the county's efforts to develop new regulations for data center ordinances and encouraged residents to voice their opinions to the County Supervisors.
During the meeting, residents raised numerous concerns, including the potential noise generated by the data center, its overall environmental and physical impact, fire suppression systems, and electricity consumption. A significant question revolved around the specific benefits the data center would offer Arthur, with residents asking about contributions to community services like a new fire station or funding for local events. They also worried about the impact on property taxes, although Path One representatives stated that if the project proceeds, they would likely become the county's number one property tax payer, benefiting roads and schools. Path One is inviting residents to join a community advisory council to continue discussions and explore how the company could support local initiatives. Another informational meeting is scheduled for Hull, Iowa.