Residents and commissioners urge more study, pause on proposed 'Project Blue Stem' data center

Public commenters pressed Leavenworth County commissioners on April 1, 2026, to halt or slow consideration of a proposed data-center project identified in the meeting transcript as Project Blue Stem, with an intermediary company named Cloverleaf seeking local approval and potential tax abatement.

Rebecca Davis, a registered nurse who said she lives in Tonganoxy, told the commission she opposes property-tax abatements for the project and urged additional study of environmental and health effects. "Under no circumstances should we be giving these corporations property tax abatements," she said, adding that data centers are among the most water- and electricity-intensive facilities and that the county should not be among the first places to host large new installations without more research.

Another public commenter, Ted Crinter, raised similar concerns about water and household electricity costs and asked the commission to consider a moratorium. Crinter said he worried higher property valuations and utility changes would harm residents on fixed incomes and that the county should require more local information before approving major projects.

Commissioners acknowledged the public concerns and discussed the limits of local authority and the need for more data. Several members said they want additional analysis of local water impacts, regional electricity generation implications and the fiscal effects of any property-tax abatements before making decisions on incentives or approvals. Commissioners also cited examples of other Kansas counties and state legislators who have proposed moratoria or state-level limits on data-center siting.

The remarks at the April 1 meeting did not record any formal vote on Project Blue Stem, and no staff report or permit decision was finalized at the session. Commissioners agreed to gather more information and revisit the issue at a future meeting; one commissioner explicitly asked staff to continue the work sessions and analysis that had already begun.

Why it matters: Large data centers can use substantial local water and electricity resources, and tax-abatement packages can affect local revenues and long-term budgets. Residents and several commissioners said those impacts warrant more information before the county approves incentives or permits. The commission did not make a final determination at the April 1 meeting and signaled additional review will follow.