Google is considering a data center in Salix, IA
Google is considering a 900-acre data center in Salix, Iowa, a site recently annexed by the city. The Salix City Council recently voted to move forward with a data center moratorium, with a final vote scheduled for next Wednesday. Residents have expressed both support and opposition regarding the proposed development.
Google is reportedly considering a 900-acre data center development in Salix, Iowa, on a site northeast of the city limits that has since been annexed by the city. MidAmerican Energy initially evaluated the Salix site as a potential economic development opportunity and has introduced Google as the prospective customer for a future data center development.
The proposed data center has been a frequent topic at Salix City Council meetings, where residents have voiced both support and opposition. In their July meeting, the Council voted 3-2 to advance a data center moratorium, with an official vote on the moratorium language scheduled for the upcoming Wednesday meeting.
Trent Fellers, Regional Head of Data Center Public Affairs at Google, stated in a letter that Google would not pursue local real estate property tax abatements or rebates. He emphasized that all property tax revenue would go directly to the City of Salix, Woodbury County, local school districts, and other local taxing entities, aiming to contribute to essential public services and grow the tax base.
Separately, the Woodbury County Zoning Commission is holding public town hall meetings to discuss data center zoning regulations for unincorporated areas of the county. The first meeting is scheduled for August 31 in Sloan, with subsequent meetings in Moville and Salix.