AI Data Center Sparks Concern Among KC Metro Residents

A proposed 2.5-million-square-foot AI data center in Independence, Missouri, by the Dutch technology company Nebius Group has ignited strong opposition from Kansas City Metropolitan area residents. The project, planned for 501 N Bly Road, has prompted concerns over its practical, legal, environmental, and ethical implications. Residents have organized through a Facebook group, "Stop the AI Data Center in Independence," which boasts over 117,000 members, and created a website, savelittleblue.com. Despite efforts by the City of Independence to address questions through an FAQ page, residents like Rachel Gonzalez remain unconvinced, citing unanswered questions about cooling system chemicals, power demand spikes, and long-term health effects. The Independence City Council approved $6.2 billion in tax breaks over 20 years for the data center, a decision that drew criticism. Following this, Gonzalez and others gathered 183 signatures for a referendum petition under Section 7.2 of the Independence City Charter. When the city denied this petition, Gonzalez and two other individuals filed a lawsuit against the City of Independence. The data center is slated to span 400 acres, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and potentially take several years to complete. Utility companies Nextera and Evergy have signed contracts with the City of Independence to provide power for the facility, totaling around $16 million in energy. Residents are also raising broader ethical concerns regarding AI-generated imagery, as voiced by local artist Kharma Magers, who emphasized the unknown impacts of such a facility on the community.