POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY (KSNT) – A Georgia-based company is reportedly looking at building a new data center in Pottawatomie County.
Becky Ryan, public information officer for Pottawatomie County, said in a press release on April 29 that some landowners in the Emmett area are being approached by Beltline, a company based out of Atlanta. The company is reportedly looking to purchase land in the county for the construction of a data center. Beltline has notified the Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) of its intent and that it is contacting local landowners.
Ryan said the county’s Planning Commission is in talks about data center zoning regulations, which have featured in several recent monthly meetings. The Planning Commission will continue the discussion during a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 30 in the Sunflower Room at 612 East Campbell St. in Westmoreland.
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“While this meeting is open to the public, it is not a public hearing on data center regulations, and as such, comments on agenda items will not be entertained. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting for information.”
Pottawatomie County press release excerpt
The Planning Commission will also meet at 7 p.m. on May 21 to continue working on a draft for data center regulations. The Planning Commission, following its completion of the proposed regulations, will set up a public hearing where locals will be given the chance to weigh in on the topic. Comments from the public will be used in the process of construction regulations for the data center.
Ryan said the Planning Commission will make a recommendation on the proposed regulations to the BOCC once the public hearing is finished. The BOCC will then have the option to approve, deny or send the regulations back to the Planning Commission with comments.
Locals can direct questions about the data center regulations to the Planning and Zoning Office by calling 785-457-3551. You can find more information about upcoming Planning Commission meetings online by clicking here.
Developers and tech companies are investing in data centers around the U.S. to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing, according to reporting from The Associated Press. People have raised concerns about these data centers over the energy and water they consume.
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Residents in Spring Hill, Kansas, pushed back against a proposed rezoning plan in February 2026 tied to a data center project, raising concerns about the impact it would have on their community. The company behind the project withdrew its proposal in March.
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