(Glenwood) – Officials in Mills County are expected to hold more discussions later this week on the potential for data centers in the county.
During the Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting Tuesday morning, the board agreed to include discussion about data centers during a work session that will include planning and zoning representatives, as well as economic development. Supervisors Chair Richard Crouch says discussions around data centers dominated recent sessions he attended through the Iowa State Association of Counties.
“I think we need to stop and take a look at our Planning & Zoning department and make sure we have all of our I's dotted and T's crossed,” said Crouch. “There are some counties that are making stronger resolutions and amending their roads departments, so that they are covered underneath this heavy equipment. They haul these buildings in, massive buildings in sections. They're all prefab and put up, so they could be very, very hard on our roads.”
In June, the board held a discussion on a potential moratorium on data centers. At that discussion, Planning and Zoning Consultant Matt Wyant told the supervisors that data centers are not currently allowed under the county’s zoning ordinances, so they opted to not place a moratorium. Crouch indicated he would like to look at the county’s zoning ordinance as it pertains to data centers.
“You can almost count on your own hands how many entities we have paying what I call off-site taxes,” said Crouch. “We're not taking from the citizens, and we're sort of investing stuff. You know, $1.5 or $1.8 million for a $26 million budget is what I call minimal. We need some industry in here to help out. There are some counties that have taken on data centers and their school asking, it went to zero.”
Crouch pointed to neighboring Cass County, Nebraska, where a data center and accompanying power plant project is being developed on over 3,000 acres of land. In an interview with KMA News following the meeting, Supervisor Jack Sayers says he is not in favor of allowing data centers into Mills County.
“They don't have much public support,” said Sayers. “There are concerns about water use, electricity use and sound. I just don't believe that Mills County is best served by pushing forward for a data center ordinance when we really don't know what the ramifications, pros or cons, are going to be of AI data centers for rural communities.”
Sayers says the county’s current zoning ordinance does not allow data centers and that offers the best protection for residents.
“I think it's an ever-evolving industry and putting something in place while not knowing what type of data center would even want to come into Mills County, not knowing what protections we should put for our residents when it comes to electrical usage, water usage, I think it's a rash decision,” said Sayers.
Additionally, Sayers says he is not in favor of putting a moratorium on data centers.
“Putting in a moratorium would open us up to there being a change in the ordinances where then data centers would be allowed,” said Sayers. “I'm in favor of having the strictest protections we can for Mills County residents. And that's by not allowing them at all and not by continuing any conversation about having data centers.”
The supervisors are expected to hold a work session Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the county’s board room.