Ida County data center proposal: Path One presents plans, urges strong county rules

Ida County, Iowa, is exploring the possibility of hosting data centers, with Path One Data Centers presenting its proposal for a small-scale facility. The company detailed plans for a 10 to 25-megawatt data center, estimated to cost $100-150 million, covering 5 to 25 acres with a 40,000-square-foot building. Path One highlighted its commitment to environmental responsibility, citing a closed-loop water system using 350,000 to 700,000 gallons annually and a noise level not exceeding 55 decibels at the property line.

The initiative follows the Ida County Board of Supervisors' decision to enact a moratorium on data center development on June 30th, driven by interest in bringing data centers to the county. Path One is advocating for the county to establish stringent rules to prevent "bad actors" and protect local agricultural land and resources, emphasizing the need for appropriate regulations. The company specified that its projects target heavy industrial zones, avoiding residential and agricultural areas.

Community members, including farmers, landowners, and county leaders, attended a packed meeting to discuss whether a data center is suitable for Ida County. Path One representative Gyles clarified they were not proposing a specific project yet but rather encouraging the county to develop strong regulatory frameworks. The potential for sites near the Quad County Ethanol Plant in Galva and another ethanol plant in Arthur, both offering existing power grid infrastructure, was mentioned.

As part of its engagement, Path One is forming a Community Advisory Council to ensure broad community input in the development process. County leaders plan further public input sessions and ordinance drafting, keeping the moratorium active until the new regulations are codified, underscoring their commitment to a well-considered approach.