Missoula County Data Center Project At Old Mill Site Withdrawn
A proposed data center project at a former mill site in Missoula County, Montana, has been withdrawn by the property owner following significant community opposition. Residents voiced concerns about noise levels, water usage, and strain on energy infrastructure. Missoula County is now considering interim zoning measures to temporarily pause new data center developments while drafting updated regulations.
A data center project planned for an old mill site in Missoula County, Montana, has been withdrawn by property owner Mike Heisey, effectively ending a proposal that had generated considerable community backlash. Heisey announced his withdrawal of signature from the special exception application just days before Missoula County commissioners were scheduled to hold a public hearing on new, temporary zoning controls for data centers.
The project faced strong opposition from residents who raised concerns about potential 24-hour noise levels, impacts on local water resources, and the strain the facility would place on the existing energy infrastructure. Following the developer's pull-out, Missoula County officials are now exploring the implementation of interim zoning to enact a temporary pause on new data center developments. This pause would allow the county time to draft updated regulations aimed at better protecting public health and natural resources.