Court arguments continue over Independence data center and referendum effort

A legal dispute is unfolding in Independence, Missouri, regarding a proposed $6.6 billion AI data center. Residents are actively campaigning for a referendum to allow citizens to vote on the project, despite dirt grading having already begun on the 400-acre site near 78 Highway and Little Blue Parkway. Rachel Gonzalez, who is leading the citizen referendum effort, stated that volunteers have collected 2,200 of the 3,700 signatures required to force a vote. She highlighted widespread passion across the city and political parties for citizens to have a say in what is being called the largest development contract in the city's history. The court arguments on Monday specifically focused on sections 7.2 and 2.22 of the city's charter, with citizens arguing that a semicolon and the word "however" in the ordinance grant them the right to veto. Conversely, the attorney representing the City of Independence asserted that the ordinance authorizing the deal is final, citing decades of precedent and Supreme Court rulings in Missouri. He emphasized the necessity of certainty for developers investing hundreds of millions or billions of dollars into economic development projects, preventing lengthy delays for public votes. A circuit court judge announced that a ruling on the matter is expected by the end of the current week.