Ames City Council Reviews Data Center Proposal Amid Public Opposition
A proposal by LightEdge to build a data center at the Ames Regional Airport is currently under review by the Ames City Council. The project faces organized opposition from local residents and groups who cite concerns about electricity consumption, job creation, and future data center development. The city council has initiated a public review process, including informational meetings and a public listening session, before making any decisions.
A proposal from LightEdge, a Des Moines-based data center operator, to build a new data center on 10.86 acres of city-owned land at the Ames Regional Airport has begun its public review process with the Ames City Council.
The project, which would be built in phases over about 10 years, could eventually require up to 25 megawatts of electricity, representing about one-fifth of Ames' normal electric load. Assistant City Manager Brian Phillips noted that the facility plans to use a closed-loop air-cooled system, minimizing water usage compared to other data center projects. City officials are interested in the project for its potential to generate revenue from airport property not needed for aviation, with proceeds to be reinvested into the airport.
The proposal has already drawn significant opposition, including a petition campaign called "Don't Build Data Centers in Ames" that has collected over 1,000 signatures. Aaron Lynch, outreach coordinator for the Heart of Iowa Democratic Socialists of America, which is organizing the campaign, stated concerns about high electricity consumption, minimal job creation, increased utility bills for residents, and the precedent the project could set for future data center development in Ames. The group is asking the City Council to reject the proposal and consider a moratorium on data center construction, similar to Story County.
While city staff has identified electrical capacity and infrastructure as the biggest issue, the Ames City Council emphasized that no decisions have been made, and the process remains focused on gathering information. A council presentation is scheduled for June 23, followed by a public listening session on June 30, with further discussion expected on July 14.