With the general election fast approaching, a “unified group” of individuals has drafted a letter encouraging further conversation and exploration of a potential data center project rather than simply “Killing” the process before it unfolds.
That was the opinion of Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mike Law in an interview with KVOE News after the aforementioned letter went out Thursday afternoon.
In addition to the chamber, the letter was signed by Visit Emporia, Emporia Main Street, Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees Chair Nancy Wells, Emporia State President Dr. Matthew Baker and Flint Hills Technical College President Dr. Caron Daugherty. All involved in the letter’s drafting stated the purpose of the document was not to draft additional support for a specific data center project or developer; rather, it was to encourage keeping the lines of dialogue open after November 3.
Daugherty stated the college feels that dialogue needs to be “civil and informed” as it would help shape the future of the community moving forward.
Wells tells KVOE News, the dialogue also needs to be a “full conversation,” something she says the board has yet to see.
While many of the representatives who spoke with KVOE News state the letter isn’t asking for anyone to vote any one way come November 3rd, a true discussion on the matter cannot take place without a development agreement, which would be impossible if questions 2 and 3 on the ballot, seeking to ban hyperscale data centers and battery energy storage systems, are approved. RDA Interim President Lyle Butler says when it comes to making the right decision, it needs to be done with the right amount of information in hand, noting there is a wide variety of “facts” and details surrounding the debate online.
While those attached to the letter stated it is not promoting support for a data center, it did list a series of claimed benefits a project of this kind could bring to the community if it were to move forward, including:
* Bring significant private investment into our community.
* Create construction jobs and opportunities for local contractors, tradespeople and suppliers.
* Support local businesses by increasing demand for goods, services, housing, dining, lodging, retail and other community amenities.
* Expand the local tax base, potentially creating additional resources for community priorities and public services.
* Create new employment opportunities in technology, infrastructure, maintenance and other fields.
* Strengthen workforce development partnerships with Emporia State University, * * Flint Hills Technical College and local schools.
* Help attract additional businesses and investment by positioning Emporia to participate in a growing technology-driven economy.
* Create opportunities for our young people to build careers here rather than having to leave the community to find them.
Many of these claims have been contested by opposition who have then cited various concerns regarding potential environmental and physical impacts a project of this nature could have on the community. President Baker acknowledged this when asked why ESU felt it important to co-sign the letter saying those concerns are valid and should be acknowledged.
However, he noted ten years is a long time and prohibiting progress on any venture for that length could also have adverse effects.
KVOE News also noted during our series of interviews Thursday that many, but not all, of the entities attached to the letter have expressed support for the Flint Hills Digital Campus Center project in recent months. Given this, KVOE News asked how these entities could claim they are not supporting one side over the other through the issuance of the recent letter.
Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods responded by saying their organization, and others, have never explicitly stated they are pro data center. Rather, he says their organization is “in support of looking at a deal,” much like other entities.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not the conversation will progress will lie with the voters whose desire will be known November 3. A reminder that advance voting for the general election is currently underway, with off-site voting at the Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building continuing through Saturday before shifting to in-office advance voting inside the Lyon County Courthouse Clerk’s Office on Monday. For more information, visit the Lyon County Election page on LyonCounty.org.
For clarification, a yes vote on questions 2 and 3 will approve a 10-year ban on hyperscale data centers and battery energy storage systems for a period of 10 years, while a no vote would allow for discussions on such projects to move forward.
You can view the letter in its entirety by clicking here.
