A developer has withdrawn its plan for a 300-acre data center in Gardner, Kansas, a couple of days after over 100 concerned residents attended a City Council meeting to voice their opposition. 

Beale Infrastructure had hoped to build a multi-building data center in east Gardner near the corner of 191st Street and South Clare Road. The company promised to hold “community first” values and addressed many of the concerns surrounding the center through a dedicated website. An information meeting was also scheduled for May 13.  

Map of proposed data center location by Beale Infrastructure

However, over 35 people came forward during the public comment section of Monday’s City Council meeting to oppose the plan, even though no action on the center was planned for the meeting. 

“Tonight, our constituents are wearing their hearts on their sleeves and they’re telling you where they stand” Kansas Sen. Doug Shane, R-Louisburg, said to the Council. “There’s no need for this company to have to spend this money for this community when the community has said no thank you.” 

Teachers, parents, construction workers, farmers and public officials of Gardner and neighboring towns pleaded with the Council. The community voiced concerns about pollution, the reduction of property values and the wellbeing of children. 

“I feel that everyone in this room can agree that putting children first should always be our number one priority,” said elementary teacher Aimee Burrow, who lives one mile from the proposed site. 

Beale Infrastructure’s website says the Gardner center campus, which would have included up to 16 data halls across multiple buildings, had precautionary measures to help with pollution. The lighting would have been shielded and directed downward to prevent it from overflowing onto neighboring properties. 

The noise from the center would be carefully controlled, the website says, and the property would have berms, sound walls and acoustic treatment to ensure the noise stays quieter than the sound level of a regular conversation, or around 60-65 decibels.   

Community activist Dr. Justin Spiehs also spoke at the Council meeting and played an audio clip of what data centers sound like for more than a minute.  

“So, we have that to look forward to,” he said.  

Beale Infrastructure said the data center would boost Gardner’s economy as one of Johnson County’s largest private infrastructure investments. It would have brought construction and long-term jobs to the community and would have produced tax revenue for public services such as schools, the website says.  

“I’m not against capitalism and making money, but the Bible says, ‘the love of money is the root of evil,’” resident Jerry Nichols told the Council. 

Nichols was one of multiple residents to get emotional during the meeting. 

“I keep quiet, I try to be a good citizen and don’t try to start no trouble with anybody. …I’m not political, but the things you do, you should have conviction about the stuff you allow and the stuff you don’t allow.” 

The City of Gardner announced in a press release Wednesday that Beale Infrastructure was no longer pursuing the project. 

“Based on the City of Gardner communicating that no incentives would be granted for the proposed data center, Beale Infrastructure decided to withdraw its application and will no longer pursue development of the project in Gardner, Kansas,” the release read.  

The announcement has been met with excitement from the community, but residents speculate the project could be taken up by a neighboring city, such as Olathe or Edgerton. 

Gardner Council member Kelly Johnson posted a response to the project’s withdrawal on Facebook:  

“Residents from Spring Hill, Olathe, Paola, Ottawa, and elsewhere came to our City Council meeting Monday night and reached out to express concerns about what a project like this could mean not only for Gardner, but for the broader region.  

“As we move forward, I believe we should continue being good neighbors to the communities around us, just as they showed up for ours. If similar proposals arise in nearby cities and residents there are seeking support and advocacy, I will be ready to stand alongside them.” 

Beale Infrastructure didn’t immediately respond for comment.