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Camden County commissioners decline letter of support for Camdenton Opportunity Zone after residents oppose proposed data center
Summary
After a packed public comment period in which residents warned a proposed data center could strain water and electric resources and harm property values, the Camden County Commission voted to deny signing a letter of support for an Opportunity Zone designation in Camdenton.
The Camden County Commission voted Thursday to refuse a requested letter of support for an Opportunity Zone designation in Camdenton after residents packed the meeting and voiced strong opposition to a proposed development that developers said could include a data center.
Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton opened the session at 10 a.m., and First District Commissioner James Gohagan moved — with Second District Commissioner Steve Dougan seconding — to deny signing the developer's requested letter. The motion carried, with Commissioners Gohagan and Dougan recorded as voting "aye." The record shows no commissioner voted to sign the letter.
The decision followed a presentation by developer Blake Hodits, who described plans for a large development in Camdenton and said an Opportunity Zone designation would help attract investment. Attorney John Giokas, identified in the record as counsel for Hodits and associated with Husch Blackwell, explained federal tax incentives and other real-estate incentives the designation can enable. Commissioners questioned both about the scope and likely uses for the site.
Members of the public strongly objected. Several Cross Creek residents said the census tract is not "distressed" and would not benefit from Opportunity Zone incentives, and they specifically opposed any data center component. One attendee cited research claiming a "276%" increase in energy bills near some data centers; other commenters warned of heavy water use for cooling, potential impacts on local water quality, noise and light pollution, and possible downward pressure on property values. Numerous emailed comments entered into the record echoed those concerns and urged commissioners to reject the designation. For example, an email submitted to the record stated, "I find it very disturbing that you are considering a data center in Camden County. I am not in favor of a data center in our county. Please do not vote in favor of the Opportunity Zone." (submitted prior to the meeting and entered into the record).
Commission staff were asked to summarize Ordinance 04-24-2026, which the record notes was passed April 24, 2026, after concerns surfaced about what a data-center use could mean locally. The commission did not take additional formal action to repeal or change that ordinance at Thursday's meeting.
The meeting record and a video recording of the session are posted on the Camden County website under the Commission's "View Past Meetings" tab for April 30, 2026. The commission adjourned at 12:08 p.m.
