Data center development sparks conflict in Montgomery County
Two data centers, one by Google and one by Amazon, are under development in Montgomery County, Missouri, prompting significant resident opposition. Local residents have formed a group, Preserve Montgomery County, and filed a lawsuit against county commissioners over alleged Sunshine Law violations and concerns about the projects' substantial water usage. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has expressed support for Google's data center, citing economic benefits.
Two data centers, one developed by Google (Project Spade) and another by Amazon Web Services (Project Green), are underway in rural Montgomery County, Missouri, sparking considerable conflict and a legal challenge. The projects, located near New Florence and High Hill, promise economic benefits and have received support from Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, who lauded Google's investment as a testament to the state's growing tech reputation.
However, residents, organized under Preserve Montgomery County, express deep concerns about the projects' impact and the transparency of their approval. Farmer Harry Cope, a candidate for county presiding commissioner, worries about the long-term effects on small communities. Retired conservation agent Tom Westhoff and other residents claim they were largely unaware of the developments until late 2023, criticizing the approval process.
The opposition group filed a lawsuit in February against Montgomery County commissioners, alleging violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law, which mandates public conduct of public business. The suit highlights non-disclosure agreements signed by commissioners in July, which referred to "the company" without specifics. Residents like Brenda Buechele and Sharon Ridgley, whose properties are directly impacted, faced backlash for raising questions.
A major environmental concern revolves around water usage. While Google plans air cooling, it will drill wells, and Amazon anticipates using 49 million gallons of well water annually, equivalent to the use of nearly 2,700 people. Hydrogeologist John Bognar refuted developer claims about the vast aquifer, stating local wells could still be impacted and questioning the adequacy of studies on the site's geological characteristics. County commissioners have declined interviews, citing the ongoing lawsuit.