Residents fill information gaps as data centers come knocking
Residents across Missouri are mobilizing against a surge in data center developments by companies like Amazon and Google, citing a profound lack of transparency from local governments and concerns about community impact. Led by engaged citizens, opposition groups are filing lawsuits and demanding greater public involvement in the planning and approval processes. Despite these efforts and legal challenges, many projects are continuing to advance.
Residents across Missouri are expressing frustration and organizing opposition against the rapid development of large-scale data centers, citing a lack of transparency from local government officials and potential community impacts. Änna Farrar, prompted by a proposed data center near her Warrenton home in Warren County, began a personal campaign to unearth and disseminate information about these projects, publishing newsletters and managing social media groups to inform the public. This grassroots effort highlights a statewide trend where communities often learn about multi-billion dollar developments, such as those by Amazon and Google, only after significant progress has been made, often accompanied by non-disclosure agreements signed by local officials.
Brenda Buechele, from Montgomery County, joined Farrar after discovering Amazon and Google's plans near her home, which included a $15 billion Google facility (Project Spade) and an $8.5 billion Amazon data center. She has spent over $2,000 on public records requests, revealing how Montgomery County officials quietly collaborated with Northpoint Development and the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Similarly, in Festus, residents like Sherman Doyle are battling a $6 billion CRG data center project, with Doyle facing a buyout for his home. These communities share concerns about the speed and secrecy surrounding these developments, which residents feel limit public input.
Opposition groups, including Preserve Montgomery County and Wake Up JeffCo, have filed lawsuits against county and city officials, alleging violations of transparency laws and challenging zoning decisions. For instance, Preserve Montgomery County sued to halt the Amazon data center, while Wake Up JeffCo challenged Festus's rezoning decision. Despite legal actions and strong local resistance, including new city council members in Festus running on anti-data center platforms, construction on some projects, like Google's site, is reportedly well underway.
Änna Farrar, despite losing a Warrenton alderman election, has temporarily suspended her daycare business to dedicate more time to advocacy, working with the Missouri Workers Center's "No MO Dirty Data Centers" campaign. Her goal, and that of many residents, is to ensure new technologies like AI benefit local communities and that citizens have more control and transparency in development processes, a stark contrast to the initial confusion and frustration she experienced.