Residents speak out in opposition of Gardner data center

Residents of Gardner, Kansas, expressed overwhelming opposition at a recent city council meeting concerning a proposed 300-acre hyperscale data center. The project, put forth by Beal Infrastructure, is planned for the 191st Street and South Clear Road area, an active residential community in southern Johnson County. Attendees filled the Gardner City Hall, demanding answers and voicing fears about potential negative long-term consequences, including environmental impacts. One resident specifically requested the city commission an independent environmental impact evaluation for the project. Beal Infrastructure's $3.1 billion proposal includes up to 16 data halls across multiple buildings. The company asserts the Gardner project would be one of Johnson County's largest tax revenue generators, creating hundreds of contractor and trade positions, along with 50 full-time on-site jobs. However, residents are concerned that the project's location, spanning areas in three unincorporated counties, could lead to unregulated development. Beal Infrastructure is also pursuing a similar, expanding project near DeSoto, Kansas, which has reportedly more than doubled in size.