Show-Me Data Center Future Fight

A peek at Missouri's tech gamble for server farms . . . 

"Over the past several months, the proliferation of data center proposals in eastern Missouri has sparked public furor from communities and excitement from officials and the development sector.

"At the core of the debate: the economic impact of the projects.

"Opponents of new data center construction in St. Louis and other communities worry the energy-hungry projects will add to already rising electricity bills, use large amounts of water and negatively impact the environment and strain the grid.

"Along with those concerns, some residents and environmental group leaders have questioned how much economic impact the projects actually offer.

"But officials like Kehoe and St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer insist the state and city need to be open for business and looking to attract data centers due to the potential boon to the state and city’s tax base . . "

 Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Officials say data centers can be the future of Missouri's economy. But it's complicated

As officials in Missouri and St. Louis try to attract data center proposals from companies, pushback grows in communities where the projects are planned. One expert says the economic benefit isn't crystal clear.