Amazon, residents share conflicting views on Montgomery County data center
Amazon held an open house in Montgomery City, Missouri, to discuss its $10-billion data center project, while the Missouri Rural Crisis Center simultaneously held a press conference. A survey revealed 85% of county residents oppose the project due to concerns about natural resources, farmland, and community change. Despite Amazon's promises of economic benefits and community investments, residents expressed skepticism regarding transparency and the project's overall impact.
Amazon, in partnership with NorthPoint Development, has commenced construction on a $10-billion data center campus in Montgomery County, Missouri. The project, which began in April, will include multiple data center buildings, a substation, and a switching station for power.
Amazon's community engagement manager, Amy Jaballah, hosted an open house at Montgomery County Middle School to provide information about the development, emphasizing potential economic benefits, job creation, and $7 million in community investments. However, many residents and activists from the Missouri Rural Crisis Center expressed strong opposition, conducting a survey that found 85% of registered county voters oppose the project. Concerns were raised regarding the impact on natural resources, farmland, and the overall character of the community.
Residents, including Tammy Ridgley and Tom Westhoff, voiced frustrations over what they perceive as a lack of transparency from officials and Amazon, feeling that an informational meeting at this stage, after contracts were signed and construction had begun, was