'At what cost and at what benefit?': De Soto residents, officials weigh data center job promises
Data center developers Beal Infrastructure and Digital Realty are promoting job creation in DeSoto, Kansas, with promises of hundreds of construction jobs and dozens of full-time operational roles. Residents, like Sarah Vande Creek, question the true long-term benefits versus costs, while City Administrator Mike Berngartt supports the facilities aligning with the city's workforce development vision.
De Soto, Kansas, is at the center of a debate over the job creation promises made by data center developers. Developers, including Beal Infrastructure and Digital Realty, are promoting significant job numbers associated with their proposed campuses in the area. Beal Infrastructure claims its $3 billion data center campus would generate over 800 construction jobs and at least 50 full-time operational positions, with more expected in future phases.
Digital Realty, which has submitted a site plan application for its own data center campus, projects over 2,500 construction workers and approximately 250 full-time jobs. These figures are contrasted with an AP News report indicating that average-sized data centers typically offer 100 jobs or less. DeSoto resident Sarah Vande Creek, a community advocate, expressed skepticism, questioning the true long-term benefits and costs to the community beyond the initial construction phase.
Michelle Cauk, a spokesperson for Beal Infrastructure, highlighted plans for skills and training opportunities to attract a local workforce for the significant construction impact. City Administrator Mike Berngartt stated that these facilities align with the city's vision for workforce development, drawing a parallel to the former Army Ammunition Plant as a past source of economic prosperity. However, Vande Creek continues to ponder the ultimate "cost and benefit" to DeSoto.