Photos: Festus approves massive $6 billion, 365-acre data center over some residents objections

The Festus City Council has approved a massive $6 billion, 365-acre data center development, advancing the project despite significant opposition from local residents. During a contentious meeting at Festus High School, residents, including Gabe Cotton, Eric Fehn, Kelly Hall, Mary Hedger, Zachary Murray, Sherman Doyle, and Mark Oberle, passionately urged the council to reject the plan or allow citizens to vote on the development, with some even chanting "Vote them out." The council heard two hours of public comment, predominantly against the data center, before voting to move the project forward. Chris McKee, president of CRG, a real estate development subsidiary of Clayco, was present at the meeting as residents expressed their objections to the proposed project, which is slated for land near residential areas such as Glenkee Court and Ashford Place.