The City of Parsons continues an ongoing discussion over the construction of a micro data center in the Tolan Creek Industrial Park.

 

At this week's meeting of the Parsons City Commission, during the public comment portion of the meeting, a resident presented a petition with dozens of signatures in favor of a temporary moratorium on the construction of data center facilities. At issue is a proposed micro data center from the company HyperDataGrid. Director of Economic Development Jim Zaleski says the proposed facility would generate a great deal of income for the City.

 

Commissioner Verlyn Boulanger stated that he had concerns with promises from HyperDataGrid that have not been put in writing. Boulanger says that's a major problem for him and spars with Zaleski over the issue.

 

A major part of the concern over data centers is over water usage. Commissioner Eric Strait says a lot of that concern stems from much larger structures than what Parsons is considering.

 

After a lengthy discussion, the commission voted 4 to 1 in favor of accepting a six month option to buy 20 acres of land in the Tolan Creek Industrial Park as a future site for a data center, with Commissioner Boulanger voting no.

 

To view the data center discussion during this week's meeting, follow this link. The discussion begins at the 13:20 mark. To view a previous commission work session on the issue, go here.