Rural Missouri doesn’t reject data centers outright. But don’t exlude us | Opinion

The debate surrounding a proposed data center in Festus, about 40 minutes south of St. Louis, is about far more than a single project. It reflects a broader tension playing out in rural communities across Missouri and the country — one rooted not in opposition to progress, but in how that progress is introduced.

There is no denying the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and the massive infrastructure required to support it. But as these projects expand into rural areas, so too does a sense of unease among the people who live and work on that land. That unease is not driven by fear of innovation. It is driven by a lack of transparency, a lack of engagement and a growing perception that decisions are being made without the full participation of those most directly affected.

When large industrial developments are proposed, landowners understandably want to know what it means for them, not just in the abstract, but in real, practical terms. How will their property be impacted? What changes will come to neighboring land? Will new transmission lines cut across farms? Will roads be expanded or rerouted? What will this mean for local infrastructure, long-term economic development and quality of life? These are not unreasonable questions. They are responsible ones.

Energy demand sits at the center of many of these concerns. Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity, often necessitating new transmission projects to deliver that power. Yet those transmission lines frequently cross private property owned by individuals who may see little to no direct benefit from the project itself. This creates a disproportionate burden on landowners, raising legitimate questions about compensation, long-term land usability and whether those affected have any meaningful input in routing decisions.

Water use presents another critical issue. Reliable access to water is essential not only for rural communities, but for agriculture, the backbone of Missouri’s economy. The introduction of large-scale data centers raises valid concerns about how water resources will be allocated, particularly during times of drought or severe weather.

However, none of these concerns amount to a rejection of data centers or the opportunities they may bring. Missouri’s farmers and landowners are not opposed to growth or innovation. In fact, they have long been at the forefront of adopting new technologies and practices. What they are asking for is balance — a thoughtful approach that respects private property rights, ensures fair compensation, protects natural resources and prioritizes local input.

That balance is already beginning to take shape. Missouri Farm Bureau members have worked proactively to develop policy that emphasizes local input, transparency, resource stewardship and accountability. Our policy was adopted by the American Farm Bureau Federation at its national meeting in January.

Our policy acknowledges that data centers can bring economic investment to rural regions, but it also insists that such development be balanced with respect for agricultural water supplies, local electrical grids and private property rights. It calls for:

• Greater transparency in decisions by county officials regarding site selection and negotiations before public comment.
• Public reporting of projected water use and the adoption of water-efficient technologies, including closed-loop cooling systems.
• Priority for water use for residential, animal agriculture and irrigation during drought or extreme weather events.
• Responsible energy planning, ensuring that residential and agricultural power needs come first and that large energy users like data centers pay their fair share of large load tariff rates.

The future of data infrastructure may be inevitable, but how we get there is still a choice. Communities should not be forced to choose between blind acceptance and outright opposition. They should be empowered with facts, given a meaningful voice in the process and treated with the respect they deserve. Only then can progress move forward in a way that truly serves the people and places it is meant to benefit.

Garrett Hawkins is president of the Missouri Farm Bureau.