Lenox council approves up to $25,000 feasibility study on data-center siting, enlists high-school students
Loading...
Summary
The Lennox City Council authorized a data-center feasibility study not to exceed $25,000, led by local residents with Lenox High School student involvement; a community forum is scheduled for March 16 to collect public input.
The Lennox City Council voted to authorize a feasibility study into whether the city can host data-center facilities, approving up to $25,000 for the work and directing staff to secure the proposal.
City staff framed the study as a way to assess what sizes of data centers the city's existing infrastructure could support and to gather community input. Staff said the work would be led by local residents Scott and Heidi Bridal and would involve students from Lenox High School through a proposed data-center club. "This proposal largely speaks for itself," staff said when introducing the item, adding that the study would clarify infrastructure and zoning limits.
Supporters said the study could identify economic-development opportunities and create student internships. "We're doing, like, we're not doing this as, like, a pro for this. We're doing it as a pros and cons," resident Heidi Bridal told the council, saying the study will look for both benefits and drawbacks and include community outreach. The council scheduled a community forum for March 16 to gather comments and questions from residents.
Council discussion repeatedly returned to infrastructure and scale: members emphasized that a hyperscale, million-square-foot facility is unlikely without major investments and that the study should clarify what levels of investment and infrastructure would be required for different classes of data facilities. Staff said the deliverable would be a written feasibility report, targeted for completion by the end of the school year, and that students may present the findings.
A motion to proceed with the study was made, seconded and approved by roll call; the council recorded unanimous 'aye' votes from those present and the motion carried. The city will fund the study from the general fund under economic development unless other budget adjustments are directed later.
The next step is the planned March 16 community meeting and the start of the study work with the proposed student involvement. The council directed staff to finalize the contract and reporting expectations and to return with the results when the study is complete.
