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Residents and city official raise water and other concerns about proposed Google data center
Summary
Multiple residents and the City of Medicine Lodge voiced opposition or concerns about water supply, drainage and local impacts of a proposed Google data center; Google representatives described planned basins, wastewater approaches and setbacks during presentations to the Board of Commissioners on June 15 and June 22, 2026.
Multiple residents and local officials told the Barber County Board of Commissioners they oppose a proposed Google data center or are worried about its water and drainage impacts.
Public comment at the June 15 session included remarks from Lorelei McFarland, Gina Woods and Micha Werner opposing placement of a data center in the county. The subject returned on June 22: Jeff Woods spoke against the project and Allan Maze said his chief concern was water supply. Brian Withrow, City of Medicine Lodge administrator, later told commissioners he was concerned about the city's water supply if the project proceeds.
Andrew Harnish, representing Google, presented project technical material at the June 15 meeting and again addressed water and wastewater questions on June 22. Commissioners and Mr. Harnish discussed watershed basins, daytime and nighttime sound contours and property‑line setbacks. No permit or formal land‑use decision was recorded in the transcript; public comments and the company presentation were part of the informational record the board received during the June sessions.
The board scheduled additional agenda work on related items (including Lone Tree Road drainage and a conditional vacate motion tied to ownership), and residents requested that water impacts be fully addressed before any formal approvals. The transcript does not record a final vote approving or denying the data center.
