Residents gather in Mayes County to discuss proposed data centers
Residents in Mayes County, Oklahoma, are organizing to discuss and respond to multiple proposed data center projects in the area, specifically in Pryor Creek. A community meeting was held where State Representative Tom Gain also addressed citizens about what to ask lawmakers and city officials. The residents are forming a coalition to address their concerns locally and statewide.
Residents of Mayes County, Oklahoma, gathered recently to discuss their concerns and formulate a plan of action regarding several proposed data center projects in the area, particularly two facilities reportedly planned for Pryor Creek. Locals expressed apprehension about the potential impacts of these developments on their community.
Jeff Thompson, a concerned resident, highlighted that the projects have been "very quiet" and are often located near mobile home communities, indicating developers might want to avoid residential areas. The goal of the organized citizens' coalition is to inform the public and address the projects at a local level, as well as to collaborate with other groups across Oklahoma facing similar data center proposals.
State Representative Tom Gain attended the meeting, advising residents on key questions to pose to lawmakers and city officials, such as those concerning construction, infrastructure grants, and tax advantages. He emphasized the public's right to complete information. Mayes County already hosts a data center in a purpose-built industrial park.
The meeting's primary objective was not merely to voice concerns but to strategize, with organizers asserting the community's right to protect their property and lives in Mayes County.