Missouri data centers become statewide political issue amid calls for oversight
Missouri's data center expansion is a statewide political issue, fueling election-year battles over transparency, tax breaks, and oversight of water and power usage. Lawmakers are proposing new legislation and an upcoming hearing will address these concerns. Residents in Montgomery County are actively opposing current projects and advocating for fair contributions from developers.
Missouri's burgeoning data center industry has escalated into a prominent statewide political issue, igniting election-year debates over transparency, tax incentives, and environmental impacts. State lawmakers and residents are advocating for more rigorous oversight of data center development, particularly concerning water and power consumption.
The controversy is intensifying in Montgomery County, where tech giants Amazon and Google are constructing massive data centers near New Florence as part of the Heart of America industrial mega-site. During a recent Montgomery County Commission meeting, resident Bill Cope urged commissioners to reject a proposed 25-year, 70% personal property tax abatement for Google's estimated $15 billion data center, arguing the companies should "pay their fair share." Cope, who lost farmland to Amazon's $10 billion project, highlighted the local impact. A survey by the Missouri Rural Crisis Center indicated nearly 85% of responding Montgomery County residents oppose the New Florence developments.
In response to these concerns, State Rep. Tricia Byrnes (R-Wentzville) announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at increasing public comment opportunities for large-scale data center projects and restricting the use of nondisclosure agreements that limit local officials' ability to consult experts. The Missouri House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee is also scheduled to hold a hearing on data center development on September 16. Furthermore, 16 Missouri lawmakers have petitioned Governor Mike Kehoe to convene a special legislative session to address the rapid pace of data center growth and its implications for electrical grids, water supplies, and community involvement. Previous legislative efforts on utility rates and water oversight for major users did not advance.