Proposed De Soto data center offers residents up to $1,000 a year for 10 years
Digital Realty is proposing a data center near 99th Street and Lexington Avenue in De Soto, Kansas, and is offering households up to $1,000 annually for 10 years through utility and property-tax credits. Many residents oppose the project and question whether the payments offset potential impacts on utility bills, water supplies and the community.
Digital Realty is working with the City of De Soto on a proposed data center near 99th Street and Lexington Avenue. The company has offered De Soto households up to $1,000 per year for 10 years through a program whose eligibility and administration have not yet been finalized. City officials say the development would not increase property taxes or city utility rates, while the credits are intended to provide residents with financial relief.
Residents interviewed by KMBC expressed skepticism about the offer, with several saying it was insufficient or an attempt to distract from concerns about the project. Digital Realty says the development could support thousands of construction jobs and create about 250 permanent positions. No building permits have been issued, and residents are waiting for further decisions while raising questions about future utility costs and the local water supply.