City of Salix files motion to dismiss lawsuit regarding potential data center
The Salix City Attorney has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the city's annexation of 900 acres for a potential Google data center. Separately, the Salix City Council voted down a proposed moratorium on the data center project, allowing Google to continue with its plans. The council meeting that led to the vote was delayed due to death threats.
The City of Salix, Iowa, is responding to a lawsuit filed by three residents — George Nelson, James Yanak, and Janet Yanek — that seeks to block the city's annexation of 900 acres designated as a potential site for a Google data center. Salix City Attorney Eric Updegraff announced the filing of a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which alleges that the city violated Iowa annexation law and requests that the court declare the annexation defective and void.
In related developments, the Salix City Council recently voted to reject a proposed moratorium on the data center project. This decision effectively allows Google to continue its plans for the potential development in Salix. The council meeting where this vote took place had been delayed for over a week due to death threats received on social media. Google issued a statement expressing appreciation for the City Council's decision and reiterated its commitment to transparent engagement with Salix residents to develop the proposal.