Residents conquer Gardner data center proposal; Tax incentives nixed for project

Residents of Gardner, Kansas, are celebrating the withdrawal of a proposed data center project by developer Beale Infrastructure. The decision came after significant community opposition, with locals raising concerns about the development. KSHB 41 Miami County Reporter Ryan Gamboa highlighted the voices of these passionate neighbors, who had previously taken over a city council meeting's public comment section to express their disapproval, even though the data center wasn't on the official agenda. The City of Gardner did not grant tax abatements for the project, which was identified as a critical juncture in the developer's decision to pull the application. According to the city, the expectation was that any developer would have to pay taxes, a concern frequently voiced by residents at local events. This victory for Gardner residents follows a similar success in nearby Spring Hill, which recently defeated its own data center proposal, sparking hope for other communities facing similar developments. Cary Hamilton, a local ranch owner, expressed relief, stating she can now relax knowing a data center will not be built across the street from her 23-year-old property. Residents involved in the opposition stated their intent to continue helping other communities across Kansas, and potentially beyond state lines, in similar situations.