A special meeting was held Monday night at the Aberdeen Civic Theater put on by the Aberdeen City Council. Councilmembers wanted to hear from citizens regarding a proposed ordinance the council is trying to write governing any potential data center projects looking to Aberdeen for a location.
Currently, there are no proposed data center projects in Aberdeen. There are two active data center projects surrounding Aberdeen including in Ellendale, North Dakota and near Leola, South Dakota.
This was the third of three special meetings the council has had while attempting to gather information for the proposed ordinance. The other’s delt with industry experts and local business interests.
Most of the speakers express skepticism or concerns for data center projects in Aberdeen.
Speaker Clark Thayers urged the council to look towards an ordinance already put in place by the Brown County Commission, with some changes…
Ryan Clay, owner and operator of “One Legged Pheasant” brewing in Aberdeen also expressed concerns surrounding energy usage by data centers..
Erin Ronayne Rudner, Democrat candidate seeking to represent District 3 in the state legislature proposed a five point plan councilmembers should consider when drafting this ordinance…
Denzel Eisenbeisz was the lone speaker in favor of data center projects, pointing out potential energy benefits…
Several speakers spoke about Aberdeen’s lack of affordable housing. Section 8 or low income housing has dried up as property owners can get more money from data center employees currently working in Ellendale. Brodie Mueller says its not just housing, but tourism that will be hurt from the lack of space Aberdeen currently has…
City councilmember Alan Johnson said in his closing statements the council would consider everything said over the past month and a first draft of the ordinance will be presented at the Aberdeen City Council meeting in two weeks.
