Missouri Businessman Defends Sale of 600-Acre Farm for Data Center Amidst Local Outcry
A significant land transaction in Missouri has ignited a firestorm of local opposition, as a prominent businessman has sold a sprawling 644-acre farm, a property held by his family for two decades, to be redeveloped into a data center. LB Eckelkamp Jr., CEO and board chairman of the Bank of Washington, expressed his surprise at the intensity of the backlash, stating he was aware of similar projects facing public scrutiny elsewhere but had not anticipated such a fervent response to his own sale.
Eckelkamp, 82, views the development as a substantial advantage for Franklin County. He articulated his belief that the property’s new purpose offers a “huge benefit to the area” with “minimal problems.” His family originally acquired the farm for investment and development potential, patiently awaiting the opportune moment to capitalize on it. While numerous developers expressed interest, Eckelkamp ultimately opted for Provident Data Centers, a decision that has deeply frustrated many residents.
The farm’s location near Interstate 44 in Gray Summit was identified by Eckelkamp as “ideally situated for a data center,” citing its access to utility lines and the considerable acreage that allows for a large-scale facility while preserving surrounding open land.
However, the proliferation of data centers has become a contentious issue nationwide, with Franklin County now a focal point of this growing unease. A recent planning commission meeting at Union High School drew an estimated 850 attendees, who packed the gymnasium to discuss the proposed data center developments in Pacific and Gray Summit. The marathon session extended for nearly eleven hours, during which 174 speakers voiced their opinions, with the overwhelming majority expressing opposition.
Key concerns raised during the debate included the proposed scale of the facilities, noise pollution, and the potential environmental impact on local nature, as well as the strain on water and electricity resources. Online forums reflected the public’s sentiment. One Facebook user commented, “NO DATA CENTERS!! I wanted to attend and will go to the next meeting. Data centers can go in urban areas.. knock down a old abandoned factory, ware house or shopping mall and put it in those places… we have enough unneeded development out here. Cant wait for more gas stations & liquor stores.” Another echoed these sentiments, stating, “Data centers pose significant environmental and community challenges, including immense electricity consumption, high water usage for cooling (often millions of gallons daily), and noise/light pollution. They strain local power grids, leading to higher energy bills for residents, and often require fossil fuel backup generators, causing air pollution.”
Eckelkamp, however, insists that the developers have proactively addressed these concerns. He stated that all objections were “carefully considered” and, in his opinion, “completely resolved any valid objections.”
Addressing Environmental and Community Concerns
Regarding water usage, Eckelkamp affirmed that the data center would consume “very little water,” with the developer proposing a closed-loop cooling system. The Texas-based developer has also committed to maintaining noise levels at their current ambient state, with Eckelkamp assuring that “there will be no more noise emanating than there is today.” Furthermore, the developer has pledged to cover the costs of any necessary additional electrical infrastructure to support the facility.
Eckelkamp also highlighted the site’s geographical advantages, noting its distance of approximately 1,000 feet from any residential areas and even greater proximity to the Shaw Nature Reserve. He emphasized that the data center would be “totally invisible from the Shaw Nature Reserve or anywhere along Robertsville Road,” which borders the reserve.
Economic Projections and Broader Trends
Despite the local opposition, projections indicate the data center could generate over $50 million annually in new tax revenue for local governments. Eckelkamp underscored this economic benefit, stating, “There’s going to be a huge benefit for all of the residents of Franklin County because of the tax that’s generated.” He believes that any “minor inconvenience for a very few people, if any – if any – is more than overridden ten times over by the benefits.”
Dismissing fears about potential health risks associated with data centers, Eckelkamp described such concerns as “totally inaccurate.” He remains resolute and proud of his decision, even as criticism mounts.
The surge in data center development across the United States, fueled by the burgeoning tech and artificial intelligence (AI) industries, has been a consistent source of public frustration. Major technology companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are aggressively expanding their AI infrastructure. Northern Virginia, in particular, has emerged as a global hub for data centers, benefiting from its flat terrain, established power grids, and extensive fiber optic networks. In a striking example, a home building company near Washington D.C. sold land to Amazon for data center development for an astonishing $700 million, a stark contrast to their initial purchase price of $50 million with plans for residential construction. This shift has contributed to a significant housing shortage in the region.
Rising Energy Costs and Regulatory Scrutiny
The expansion of data centers is also contributing to a nationwide increase in energy consumption and electricity prices. Data from the federal Energy Information Administration reveals substantial year-over-year residential electricity price hikes in states like Illinois (20%), Ohio (12%), and Virginia (9%) by September. A 2023 study commissioned by Virginia lawmakers projected that demand from data centers could escalate the state’s energy usage by a staggering 183% by 2040, compared to a projected 15% growth without new data centers. This energy surge is expected to translate into higher electricity bills for consumers, potentially increasing them by up to 25% in some regional markets.
These projected consequences have not deterred the rapid growth of AI infrastructure. OpenAI, in collaboration with Nvidia and other partners, has announced plans to build several new data centers projected to consume 17 gigawatts of electricity—a volume comparable to the combined electricity needs of Switzerland and Portugal.
The intense demand for land to accommodate these facilities has driven up property values nationwide. Homeowners situated near proposed data center sites often express deep dissatisfaction due to the industrial aesthetic, constant operational hum, and the prospect of escalating energy expenses.
Elena Schlossberg, an anti-data center activist, voiced her concerns, stating, “Nothing can live next to data-center development like this except more data-center development.” In response to these growing issues, some localities are implementing stricter regulations. Loudoun County, for instance, now requires all new data center developments to receive approval from the County Board. A proposed bill in Virginia’s state legislature aims to restrict data center construction to areas already zoned for industrial use.
In Georgia, the House of Representatives recently passed a bill intended to shield residential consumers from increased electricity bills stemming from data center demand. While the bill mandates contractual agreements between data centers and utility companies to protect consumers, critics argue that the protections are insufficient, as the Public Service Commission retains the authority to adjust electricity rates in response to escalating demand.
Meanwhile, data center developers are actively engaging in political advocacy to counter growing opposition. They have made substantial political contributions, notably to members of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. An Amazon spokesperson emphasized the positive economic contributions of their data centers, stating they “create high-quality jobs and generate significant local property tax revenue that helps fund schools, public safety and infrastructure.”
