The Parsons City Commission discusses a purchase option for 20 acres of land for a possible data center.

 

At Monday's meeting, it was standing room only as Parsons citizens attended to voice their thoughts on the purchase and the proposed data center. The land purchase would be in the Tolan Creek Industrial Park north of the City and would give the Texas-based firm Hyperdatagrid up to a year to study the feasibility of installing a micro data center. Some in attendance spoke in favor of the center.

 

Others, however, were against the facility.

 

Others said the people of Parsons should decide.

 

Members of the Parsons City Commission spoke in favor of the contract.

 

Commissioner Leland Crooks says the City has historically set the pace for the use of technology.

 

The data center would possibly bring in as much as $300,000 a year in new revenue. Commissioner Eric Strait says the City government has an obligation to consider the economics of the issue.

 

A major issue for those concerned about the data center is water usage. Commissioner Verlyn Boulanger says the Parsons Water plant usually runs at less than half capacity.

 

In the end, commissioners were asked to make a decision on the land purchase contract. Commissioner Eric Strait makes the motion.

 

The vote gives Hyperdatagrid six months to study utility availability, review land use, and perform survey work.