Central City residents seek answers on proposed South Side data center at meeting
Residents of Central City, Iowa, are actively seeking answers and voicing frustrations regarding a proposed 18,000 sq ft data center near the Linn County Fairgrounds. The Central City Council is responding by discussing a new ordinance to regulate data centers, considering environmental impacts and potential tax base benefits. Developer RM Capital presented plans for a non-water-based cooling system.
Central City, Iowa, residents are actively engaging with developer RM Capital and local authorities regarding a proposed 18,000 square foot data center planned near the Linn County Fairgrounds. Community members have expressed concerns about the project's environmental impact and its potential effects on their daily lives, voicing frustrations and seeking direct answers from the developer at recent public meetings.
In response to these community concerns, the Central City Council held a special work session to discuss drafting a new ordinance. This ordinance aims to establish rules and regulations specifically for data centers within the city. Mayor Don Gray indicated that the city is also weighing the potential benefits of the data center, such as its contribution to the city's tax base.
RM Capital has addressed some environmental concerns by stating the proposed facility would utilize a closed-loop, non-water-based cooling system, differing from larger data centers that typically consume significant amounts of water. Council member Dustin Moyer emphasized that the city is actively considering water use protections while developing the ordinance. Moyer highlighted the personal nature of the debate in the small, close-knit community, underscoring the importance of public input in the decision-making process. The city aims to keep residents informed and address their concerns as the process moves forward.