Missouri town ousts half its council over $6 billion AI data center as community opposition spreads

Small Missouri town ousts half its city council after $6 billion AI data center approval -- petition calls for mayor's removal as frustration (and violence) over AI data centers mounts

The small town of Festus, Missouri -- a community made up of just under 14,000 people -- has become a focal point over the growing backlash against AI data centers entering communities across the country. Following the approval of a $6 billion data center project, voters removed four of the eight members of the Festus city council, as well as started a petition to remove the remaining city council members and the major, reports Politico. The approved project is set to occupy 360 acres of land with an unidentified developer. Residents filed a lawsuit against the city on Thursday, alleging that Festus didn't give the public enough time to review the proposal ahead of a decision, and that it made illegal rezoning decisions for the proposal. It also claims the city participated in private meetings concerning the project that should have been public. The situation is Festus is a recent example, but several other instances of voter opposition to AI data centers have appeared in just the past few months. In February, the New Brunswick, New Jersey city council struck down an AI data center deal, instead using the 27,000-square feet of real estate to build a public park. In September 2025, Prince George's County in Maryland paused data center projects after community opposition and formed a task force to study the risks of AI data centers. And in St. Charles, Missouri, less than an hour's drive from Festus, there's a push to ban data centers in the area permanently. Although there's been a growing tide of opposition through official channels like city council elections, more extreme instances of opposition are starting to appear. Just days ago, a 20-year-old man attempted to firebomb OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home in San Francisco. On Sunday, two additional people allegedly shot at Altman's home, leading to two arrests. Opposition is one challenge AI data centers face, but according to recent reports, around half of all AI data center projects have been delayed or cancelled for a variety of reasons. Chief among them is electrical infrastructure, with lead times for high-power transformers ballooning from around two years to up to five years. Festus is working against the approved data center, and the fight against AI data centers is still ongoing throughout the country. In Foristell, MO, a recent proposal to annex land into city limits met local opposition, under concerns the land would be used for data center development. The annexation was amended to keep the land's previous agricultural zoning. Interconnected Capital built a dashboard showing AI data center proposals across the country, as well as their current status. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.

Missouri town fights back against massive data center deal at the polls

Rural residents aren't letting towns off the hook for massive data center deals. Credit: The Washington Post / Contributor / The Washington Post via Getty Images The residents of the small town of Festus, Missouri -- the site of a new $6 billion data center project -- are taking their outrage over the predatory AI data center boom to the polls. The town, population just 12,000, ousted four incumbent city council members in a local election last week. Each of the representatives had voted yes to the controversial project, which will raze 360 acres of land for a data center operated by an unnamed company. The deal was approved by city council members on March 30 -- just one week before the election -- but city residents organized quickly, including running a successful grassroots campaign to replace one of the incumbents with a local advocate who had never before run for public office. Festus residents have also filed a recall petition targeting the city's mayor and remaining council members, as well as a lawsuit against both the city and the project's developer for alleged secret dealings. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Communities around the nation are pushing back against massive data center investment projects, including state and federal data center subsidies, as their environmental and economic toll becomes clearer. Advocates successfully stalled dozens of projects in 2025. Addressing community concern, a coalition of tech giants signed onto a voluntary, non binding White House pledge, called the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, committing to provide or pay for all energy costs associated with future AI projects. Last week, the residents of Port Washington, Wisconsin approved a first-of-its kind referendum requiring large scale data center projects go to a local vote for approval. The referendum applies to projects with a minimum $10 million cost and which receive tax benefits.

SPAC King Chamath Palihapitiya Says 'Not A Good Sign' As $6 Billion Missouri AI Data Center Sparks Backla

Missouri Data Center Sparks Political Revolt In Festus, a community of fewer than 14,000 residents, voters removed four of eight city council members after officials approved a massive data center project spanning roughly 360 acres, Politico reported on Monday. The backlash did not stop there, with residents also pushing to oust remaining officials, including the mayor. The project, tied to an unidentified developer, has become a flashpoint in the debate over how AI infrastructure is rolled out at the local level. Lawsuit Alleges Lack Of Transparency Residents have filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming officials failed to provide adequate time for public review and made improper rezoning decisions. The suit also alleges that private meetings were held regarding the project in violation of transparency rules. Nationwide Backlash Against AI Data Centers Festus is not alone. In New Brunswick, officials rejected a proposed data center earlier this year, opting instead to build a public park. Meanwhile, Prince George's County paused similar projects following community opposition and St. Charles is considering stricter measures, including potential bans. These developments point to a growing national resistance as concerns mount over land use, environmental impact and strain on local infrastructure. Infrastructure Challenges Add Pressure Beyond public opposition, data center expansion is also facing logistical hurdles. Reports indicate that nearly half of proposed AI data center projects have been delayed or canceled, with shortages in critical electrical equipment -- such as high-power transformers -- pushing timelines from about two years to as long as five. Chamath Flags Risks To AI Growth Reacting to the trend, Palihapitiya wrote on X, "Not a good sign for the foundation model companies..." Meanwhile, in March 2026, to halt the construction of new data centers across the U.S., Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) introduced the AI Data Center Moratorium Act. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo Courtesy: Kathy Hutchins On Shutterstock.com Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.