Camden County rejects Opportunity Zone amid data center concerns

The Camden County Commission unanimously rejected a proposal for an Opportunity Zone designation in Camdenton, Missouri, after hours of public testimony primarily focused on concerns about a large-scale data center potentially included in a broader mixed-use development. Hundreds of residents attended the meeting, expressing worries over the data center's environmental impact, strain on infrastructure, and energy and water demands. Developer Blake Hodits, represented by attorney John Giokas, clarified that the request was a time-sensitive step for a long-term, mixed-use vision, not an approval of a specific project, but confirmed a data center had been part of plans for over five years. Despite this, commissioners, including Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton, hesitated due to a lack of concrete details. Following the decision, county officials highlighted a newly adopted ordinance regulating data centers in unincorporated areas. This ordinance includes strict requirements such as banning groundwater wells, mandating closed-loop cooling systems, requiring on-site power generation, and setting limits on noise and environmental impacts. State Rep. Jeff Vernetti also voiced opposition to the data center development, citing concerns about Missouri's power grid and quality of life, and withdrew his prior support for the Opportunity Zone application. Attention is now turning to the Camdenton Board of Aldermen, which is expected to reconsider its support for the Opportunity Zone during an upcoming meeting. County officials urged continued public involvement in the process.