Ottawa Residents Challenge 300-Acre Technology Campus Plan with Lightfield Energy
Residents of Ottawa, Kansas, are opposing a proposed 300-acre technology campus, including a data center, amid concerns over transparency and environmental impact. The city has entered a sales agreement with Lightfield Energy LLC for $5.3 million, which includes significant tax abatements and potential water infrastructure challenges.
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Ottawa city commissioners contracted with Lightfield Energy LLC in December 2024 to sell 300 acres of Proximity Park for $5.3 million. The proposed technology campus may include an AI data center that could require millions of gallons of water daily, raising concerns about local water infrastructure.
Residents have gathered 700 petition signatures against the development, citing issues such as noise, pollution, and environmental impacts. The agreement includes a 10-year tax abatement of up to 75% and a $50,000 earnest money deposit.
City commissioners have extended the due diligence period for Lightfield Energy, set to expire on August 1, with a 90-day window for finding a buyer afterward. The ongoing opposition reflects broader resistance to data center developments in the Kansas City metro area, influenced by Senate Bill 98, which incentivizes substantial investments in such facilities.
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