Prospective Marshalltown data center developer fields questions from council, public -
Amir Atefi of Swarm Systems fielded questions from the Marshalltown City Council and public regarding a proposed data center project. The city is negotiating a land sale and indicates a desire to wait until a moratorium on data centers is finished. Public and council members raised concerns about transparency, job numbers, and the developer's history.
Amir Atefi of Swarm Systems presented a prospective data center project to the Marshalltown City Council and public, outlining a best-case scenario for groundbreaking in Q2 2027 and operation by late 2028. Atefi highlighted Marshalltown's potential to benefit from AI infrastructure, drawing parallels to the city's history of manufacturing success. He addressed questions about job creation, indicating average six-figure salaries and covered education costs, and cited a 270-megawatt hyperscale project in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, as an example of his team's past work.
However, the presentation faced scrutiny. Council member Mitchell questioned Atefi's commitment to transparency, citing private meeting invitations to councilors despite Atefi's public statements against closed-door policies. Council member Yepez-Gomez, who opposed Atefi's presentation, raised concerns about discussing land contracts publicly. During the public comment period, residents asked about environmental impacts, the lack of an end-user, and questioned Atefi's support for a moratorium while presenting a new project.
City Attorney Steve Leidinger clarified the concept of vested rights in zoning. Council discussions also revealed that the city had counter-offered Swarm Systems on a land deal, aiming to push back the sale date until a moratorium on data centers is concluded. The council later failed to approve motions to enter closed sessions for potential litigation and real estate negotiations, indicating a strong push for public transparency amidst ongoing legal and developmental discussions.