Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: April 8, 2026

A data center proposal in Bonner, Montana, situated near the Blackfoot River, is under close examination by local residents and industry experts. The primary concerns articulated include the facility's water consumption, despite claims of a closed-loop recycling system, and its potential to increase demand for electricity, which some fear could lead to higher rates for existing utility customers due to an imbalance between demand and supply. This project is being watched as a benchmark for how rural areas in states like Montana and Wyoming will manage the trade-offs associated with data center development. Meanwhile, in Wyoming, the City of Cheyenne is pursuing an annexation plan, which Mayor Patrick Collins defends as essential for managing urban expansion and creating space for future data centers. However, this initiative is meeting resistance from Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak, who characterizes it as a "land-grab" by the mayor for tax revenue. The disagreement highlights broader issues of regulatory oversight, public safety, and service provision, as the city and county vie for control and resources in the context of anticipated growth.