Woodbury County landowners challenge annexation of 900 acres near Salix for potential data center
Residents in Woodbury County, Iowa, are challenging the City of Salix's annexation of 900 acres of land, which Google is interested in for a potential data center. They allege the city violated Iowa annexation law, asking the court to void the annexation. Meanwhile, the Salix City Council is considering a data center moratorium.
Residents in Woodbury County, Iowa, are challenging the City of Salix's annexation of 900 acres of land, where Google has expressed interest in building a data center. The landowners have filed a petition asking the court to void the annexation, alleging the city violated Iowa annexation law by failing to follow proper procedures.
This development comes amidst a divided community in Salix, with some residents seeing the potential data center as an economic boon, while others express concerns about its impact on attracting young families and the town's character. Google, through its Regional Head of Data Center Public Affairs, Trent Fellers, confirmed a finalized agreement with MidAmerican Energy Company to explore the Salix site, highlighting its long history of data center development in Iowa, including a $20 billion investment in its Council Bluffs campus.
Following Google's announcement, the Salix City Council is set to review a possible data center moratorium on August 12. The council had previously voted 3-2 on July 8 to move forward with drafting the moratorium language. MidAmerican Energy stated its role is to facilitate responsible economic development while ensuring existing customers do not bear the costs of new data center infrastructure.