Gary Pinkston came to KVOE on Friday to answer questions about his involvement in — and goals for — the Flint Hills Digital Campus data center proposal in west Emporia.
Pinkston tells KVOE listeners his route to being the project developer started with his time near Cedar Point and led to his founding of the Meridian Pacific development company. He now operates Flying P Ranch in Chase County, but he says data centers and a technology-heavy focus is the path of the future, not the past.
To Pinkston, the overall data center concept is similar to a business park and has been for some time.
Pinkston also says this is a different setup than another project he had in mind around 20 years ago: bringing Lowe’s to Emporia.
Pinkston anticipates a three-fold increase in the local property tax base if the data center moves forward and is fully built.
The proposed project has received widespread local criticism from residents in a range of areas, including power, water use, noise and environmental adjustments. Pinkston credits project spokesman Garrett Nordstrom for his work, including water use.
The plan for the gigawatt facility includes as much electricity as needed through Evergy, as well as 600 megawatts of natural gas power.
Pinkston says the city’s policy proposals on power, water and sewer use and zoning are guardrails for the proposed data center because those costs are borne by the data center companies and don’t roll over to existing customers. He’s also a guardrail as the developer.
Pinkston wants to see interest from the “Magnificent Seven” in tech operations, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and/or Tesla. While not naming companies, he says there is interest among several well-known names in technology and several have called him to say they plan to step forward if the project is approved by the city, possibly by July 15.
If the Digital Campus can land a significant end user, Pinkston anticipates increased enrollment at Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College. He also expects other businesses will consider Emporia and other communities in Lyon County for their operations, depending on the end user.
When it comes to job creation, the plan currently revolves around up to 2,000 construction workers for at least 5-7 years and possibly up to 10 years. Pinkston also anticipates up to 500 full-time workers, another 500 contract workers and yet another 500 subcontract employees if the data center is fully fleshed out.
Pinkston is involved in Chapter 11 bankruptcy court proceedings in Georgia regarding a mixed-use development in Hawaii. He says that will have no bearing on the Digital Camppus.
Pinkston says artificial intelligence is here, like it or not, and the United States is in a battle against other countries that are also rapidly developing their AI capacities. He also calls the negative reaction a “terrible distraction” to the bigger picture.
Following Friday’s interview, residents have a chance to learn more, ask questions and voice concerns about the proposed Digital Infrastructure zoning overlay during a special Emporia Planning Commission meeting at 6 pm Tuesday at the White Auditorium arena. Emporia city commissioners may well take action on at least several components of the data center plan during their meeting slate July 1.
Click here for the KVOE.com Audio Vault, including the full interview with Pinkston.
