Large crowd weighs data center development in Hutchinson
A large crowd in Hutchinson, Kansas, expressed strong opposition to data center development during a town hall meeting, citing concerns about water use, environmental impact, and utility strain. Residents are now considering organizing and petitioning for a public vote on a moratorium, despite a previous moratorium proposal by a city council member failing to gain support.
A significant crowd gathered in Hutchinson, Kansas, to discuss potential data center development in the city and Reno County. An informal poll at the event indicated that most attendees did not want such a facility in their community.
Former state Rep. Jason Probst moderated the discussion, which included Hutchinson City Council member Stacy Goss and state Sen. Mike Murphy. Senator Murphy addressed Senate Bill 98, a Kansas law enacted in 2025 that provides a 20-year sales tax exemption for qualifying data center projects that invest at least $250 million and create 20 full-time jobs. Murphy, who voted against the bill due to opposition to special tax incentives, mentioned that new legislation is being developed to repeal the incentive.
City Council member Goss advised that Hutchinson should establish policies and procedures before any data center proposals reach the City Council. She previously proposed a temporary moratorium to allow time for regulation development, but it did not receive support from other council members. Goss suggested the city has time to act carefully, as Evergy's planned generating facility is not expected until 2030, and mentioned the Hutchinson industrial park and an area near the Evergy facility as potential data center sites. Residents questioned the possibility of voting on data center allowances or a moratorium, with Goss indicating a ballot question would require a specific legislative proposal.
Audience surveys revealed that 123 of 178 respondents did not want a data center. Leading concerns included water use, environmental effects, impacts on utilities and infrastructure, and noise/light pollution. Expected benefits were lower property taxes and increased tax revenue. Residents expressed a preference for smaller data centers (under 10 megawatts) over hyperscale or giga-scale facilities. Most participants plan to continue attending government meetings, form community organizations, and circulate petitions for a public vote on a moratorium.