Data centers are becoming a growing issue in communities across Missouri, prompting local leaders to seek more information about their potential impact.
The Missouri Association of Counties is planning a data center summit next month for its members, which include elected officials from across the state. Executive Director Steve Hobbs said the issue is not unique to Missouri, but part of a broader national conversation.
“There’s a lot of chatter out there about water usage with these facilities,” Hobbs said. “Electrical uses, is it going to raise our electric rates? We’re bringing in a gentleman from Virginia who has over 200 data centers in his county alone.”
Hobbs said the goal of the summit is not to promote a specific position, but to give county leaders a chance to learn more about the issue.
The discussion around data centers, Hobbs said, dates back to his time as a Missouri state representative from 2003 to 2011, when leaders were already looking at the economic potential and job opportunities these projects could bring.
“What we found out then is we didn’t have the fiber infrastructure,” Hobbs said. “I believe that’s changed now. We probably also didn’t have the electrical grid then. Do we now? We need to find out.”
Across the state, Hobbs said communities are already holding local meetings as proposals emerge, with residents raising concerns about potential impacts.
“We’ve seen town hall meetings across the state in areas where one of these centers are coming in,” Hobbs said. “And there’s very little opportunity to really have a serious conversation about what’s the truth. And so that’s why we are putting this together.”
Hobbs said the summit will bring in experts from areas with significant data center growth, along with legal and financial specialists, to help local leaders better understand issues such as water use, energy demand and economic incentives.
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