One of the largest data centers in the Kansas City metro is slated to be developed in Independence, MO by international AI company Nebius. This data center is being built for a capacity of 1.2 GW of power with a daily demand of up to 3,200 gallons of water at full buildout. Once completed, this single data center would use 8 times as much energy per year as the entire city of Independence.

This massive data center with massive energy demand threatens the community with noise pollution, green space degradation, jeopardized wildlife, multi-year construction, recommissioning a retired power plant, and resource drain that risks higher utility rates. In other words, residents of Independence and the surrounding area face a serious decrease in their quality of life while seeing no real benefits from this development! To make matters worse, Independence leaders want to exempt the data center from paying their fair share in taxes.

We have a real chance to stop this data center from being built, and this chance comes by preventing the city from giving Nebius tax breaks by demanding Independence City Council votes No on Chapter 100.

On March 2, the city of Independence will vote on a Chapter 100 charter for Nebius, which would surrender around $6 billion in tax revenue based on the 90% tax abatement in the Chapter 100. A representative of Nebius has said that without tax breaks, the project is unlikely to proceed.

Stop Big Tech from building in your backyard by sending an email now.

The Chapter 100 for the tax abatements for Nebius’s data center will be voted on by the Independence City Council on Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m at 111 E Maple Ave, Independence, MO. Send your email before then and plan to attend the meeting and make public comment (show up at 5:15pm to ensure you can comment). Let’s shut it down!

Efforts lead by Stop the AI Data Center in Independence and KC Data Center Watchdog.