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The Joplin Planning and Zoning Commission approved the annexation of approximately 540 acres of Wildwood Ranch into the city limits and rezoned the land from residential to heavy industrial. This decision aligns with a 2009 agreement between the City of Joplin and Wildwood Ranch to annex over 2,000 acres by 2028.

The approval paves the way for constructing a new data center, though some residents expressed concerns about the impact on the surrounding community. The annexation and rezoning will be presented to the Joplin City Council at their next meeting.