Bonner Mill data center proposal sparks community Q&A session

A proposed data center at the Bonner Mill Industrial Park in Bonner, Montana, has prompted significant community concern, according to Ryan Toohill. Residents, including Joyce Morgan, are particularly worried about the potential environmental and traffic impacts, especially due to the facility's location across from an elementary school. The project is described as relatively small, intended to operate off the residential power grid, and must adhere to Missoula County's renewable energy investment requirements. In response to these community anxieties, the local nonprofit Friends of Two Rivers is organizing a Q&A session. This event, scheduled for Friday at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, aims to provide transparency by featuring both the Bonner Mill manager and the CEO of the unnamed proposed data company. Judy Matson, a director for Friends of Two Rivers, stressed that open communication and verified information are crucial for residents to determine if the project is beneficial. Morgan echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for trust in the Bonner Mill management while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the project's long-term effects.