Data center opposition has turned some Independence residents into new activists
News ClipKansas City Star·Independence, Jackson County, MO·3/13/2026
Residents in Independence, Missouri are opposing a $150 billion, 400-acre data center project planned by Dutch company Nebius. The city council approved over $6 billion in tax breaks for the project, sparking backlash from a local watchdog group called 'Stop The AI Data Center in Independence'. The group is suing the city to try to force a public vote on the project, despite the city claiming the tax breaks cannot be reversed.
zoningoppositionannouncementgovernment
Gov: Independence City Council
While Independence leaders say their plan to bring a $150 billion, 400-acre data center to town — with the help of billions in tax breaks — is too far along to stop, a growing group of furious residents is refusing to give up hope. This week, they hit the streets to start gathering neighbors’ signa