Jackson County executive candidate Stacy Lake opposes public funding for AI data centers
Jackson County executive candidate Stacy Lake said she would oppose using tax incentives, public funds or other county tax dollars to support AI data center development. She also called for stronger building codes and ordinances governing any facilities built in unincorporated Jackson County.
Democratic Jackson County executive candidate Stacy Lake told The Kansas City Star that she would not support tax incentives or public funding for AI data centers. Lake acknowledged that construction could create jobs but said the potential environmental and public-health consequences outweigh those benefits and that the county should pursue other ways to create employment.
Lake also said Jackson County should strengthen its building codes and ordinances to ensure rigorous oversight of any data center built in unincorporated areas. Her comments came in an election questionnaire covering data centers, property taxes and the future of the Truman Sports Complex; they did not involve a specific proposed facility or government decision.