Data center developer responds to Festus upheaval

Bob Clark, Executive Chairman and Founder of Clayco, the parent company of CRG, held a press conference to defend the company's $6 billion data center project in Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri. This comes after four Festus council members were ousted and a community-led lawsuit was filed against CRG and the city last week, aiming to overturn the project agreement. Clark stated that data centers are beneficial for communities and that Clayco adhered to all laws and rules, maintaining transparency throughout the public meetings where votes occurred. He attributed the increasing backlash against such projects to a national lack of transparency, contrasting it with the historical confidentiality surrounding other industries. Despite the public outcry, Clark believes it is temporary. He noted that the project's approval last month granted CRG "vested rights" to proceed, with a potential groundbreaking in nine months and completion by 2028. Clark highlighted the significant economic impact, projecting an annual $40 million boost to Festus's budget, doubling its current revenue, increasing property values, and creating 100-200 full-time jobs, along with thousands of construction jobs. He also emphasized the project's role in national security and the global AI race. Clark also commented on other potential developments, expressing disengagement from a proposed data center in Midtown St. Louis, citing the city's "dysfunctional charter" and "dysfunctional board of Aldermen" as hindrances to serious economic development. He concluded by reiterating the Festus site's strategic location and its potential to enhance the community's economic engine.