Kiowa, Oklahoma, residents seek public vote on data center proposal
A proposed data center near Kiowa, Oklahoma, is facing potential public opposition due to concerns over a significant property tax abatement. Community activist Brian West is organizing a petition drive to allow county residents to vote on the project, arguing for community voice in the decision.
A data center has been proposed for a location just south of Kiowa, Oklahoma, a town with a population of 662. The unnamed company behind the proposal stated that the project is expected to generate over $600 million in new taxes and community payments for the county over its 25-year lifetime.
However, community activist Brian West has voiced concerns about the actual cost of the proposal, particularly a reported 85% property tax abatement that he calculates would cost the county $4 billion over 25 years. West, who has prior experience working in data centers, has created a website to educate the public about the project's implications.
West is preparing to launch a petition drive to enable a public vote on the data center project. He asserts that the voters deserve a voice in this decision, as the project is anticipated to significantly impact everyone in the county.