Residents urge transparency, moratorium as Leavenworth County hears concerns about proposed hyperscale data center

Dozens of residents pressed the Leavenworth County Commission for more information and a pause on approvals for a proposed hyperscale data center project south of Tonganoxie, saying county staff and developers have not provided a comprehensive plan for what would be built and how it will be powered and supplied.

"We just don't know what they want to do with it," said Kim Colbert, who identified herself as a Tonganoxie resident, noting reported plans that she said shifted from a 200‑megawatt initial phase to 1.2 gigawatts and asking who the project’s eventual customers will be. "Transparency is lacking, and I feel like we need to know."

Public commenters framed their concerns around three recurring themes: public notice and outreach, environmental and public‑health impacts, and the role of state incentives. Several speakers said many county residents they contacted were unaware of the project and requested evening town halls and additional community outreach so people who cannot attend daytime meetings can learn more.

Health concerns were raised by Cecilia Pruett, a registered nurse, who warned that children may be more sensitive to noise and infrasound and cited studies she said link data center emissions and fine particulate matter to health harms. "Long term exposure to noise can lead to physical changes and increased heart rate, elevation of cortisol levels, and weakened immunity," Pruett said, urging officials to measure public‑health costs before making permitting decisions.

Artist and residents who spoke about the nearby Tailgate Ranch said the site has cultural and landscape value that would be harmed by large‑scale development; one speaker noted works inspired by the ranch were selected for an archival Lunar Codex project and called the development a "desecration."

Former state legislator and Tonganoxie resident Jim Carlson reviewed records he said were filed with the Leavenworth County Register of Deeds showing an initial memorandum for the Tailgate property was recorded on March 3, 2025. Carlson said the timing is notable because he asserts the Legislature substantially rewrote Senate Bill 98 in the final hours of the session to create a sales‑tax exemption for qualified hyperscale data centers.

"The public record demonstrates two important facts," Carlson said: that the option to acquire the proposed site was recorded before the incentive law was finalized, and that the incentives were enacted after the bill was rewritten, a sequence he suggested warrants public scrutiny.

Some commenters asked the commission to extend the county moratorium on data center approvals; one speaker asked for a two‑year extension, while others requested at least a one‑year pause so independent analysis of water, noise and air impacts can be completed.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the data center during the meeting. County staff told the board they would continue with the regular agenda items and noted that any substantive regulatory action or land‑use decision would follow the permitting process and likely require additional public hearings.

The county did not present additional technical information about project ownership, exact energy sources, water supply agreements or the detailed site plan during the meeting; multiple commenters requested that the commission ask developers and staff to provide those documents in a public packet and hold evening outreach meetings.

The commission took no vote on changing county rules at this meeting. Several public commenters announced an upcoming community information event at the VFW on July 12 where organizers plan to present project updates and collect signatures and materials.