Joplin officials explain future data center regulations
Joplin has strengthened its data center regulations, requiring new large data centers to use closed-loop water cooling systems or equivalent efficient technologies to reduce water usage. The city also established a $1,000 annual business license fee for data centers, as officials prepare for potential major data center development.
The city of Joplin, Missouri, has updated its regulations for large data centers, primarily to address water consumption. Troy Bolander, director of Joplin
’s Planning, Development and Neighborhood Services Department, stated that city staff conducted a two-month review after a potential data center project near Wildwood Ranch emerged.
A key change mandates that new large data centers implement closed-loop water systems or equally efficient cooling technologies to minimize water usage. Bolander explained that while these systems require occasional flushing, Joplin
’s wastewater treatment infrastructure can handle it. The new rules also allow for future, more efficient cooling methods.
Additionally, the Joplin City Council instituted an annual $1,000 business license fee for data centers. These regulatory updates come as Joplin continues to evaluate a significant data center development on its southwest side, although existing smaller bitcoin mining operations will not be retroactively subject to the new water efficiency requirement. Bolander also noted that while zoning can control data center location and operation, it cannot be used to outright prohibit them.