New Festus City Council faces data center lawsuit challenge

Four new members – Karl Weekley, Allen McCarthy, Dan Moore, and Rick Belleville – have officially taken office on the Festus City Council, their inauguration met with cheers from residents who oppose a local data center development. Bob Clark, founder of Clayco and its real estate development arm CRG, which is the developer for the project, stated his belief that the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) will enable the project to proceed. Clark also indicated that company representatives are eager to meet and work with the newly elected council members. Clark highlighted the economic benefits of data center developments, asserting they are vital for future economies and that the St. Louis area should capitalize on these advantages. The city projects that the hyperscale data center could generate over a billion dollars in revenue over time. However, public comment sessions have consistently shown overwhelming opposition from residents. Despite the change in council leadership following the election, Clark affirmed CRG's legal right to commence work on the project. He tempered this by adding that the company would not "barge into the community" and is committed to listening to the new council's concerns. New Councilmember Dan Moore reiterated the Festus community's clear disapproval of the data center, suggesting that if the election results are not a strong enough indication, he is unsure what would be. The new council now faces the ongoing challenge of a lawsuit related to the data center.