County commissioners to reconsider datacenter moratorium at June 10 meeting

In early 2026, Leavenworth County, Kansas, residents learned that a massive data center had been proposed near Tonganoxie, Kansas. Known as Project Bluestem, the center would occupy 1,000 acres of undeveloped land (part of Tailgate Ranch) about one mile south of Tonganoxie. Structures on the now-gently rolling hills would be huge — the size of up to 100 super-sized discount stores. Project Bluestem would devour water resources, produce 24-hour-a-day noise pollution, illuminate the night sky with electric lighting, pollute air and water, and generate enough heat to raise the temperature throughout a six-mile radius by an estimated 15 degrees — year round.

Moratorium background
On May 6, 2026, the Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners failed to pass a motion, by a vote of 1 to 4, to enact a moratorium on the application for the data center.

At the same meeting, commissioners voted to accept $450,000 in cost funding from Cloverleaf to cover the cost of hiring third parties and consultants to review the proposal and the proposed site.

A week later, commissioners adopted — on a 3 to 2 vote — a 90-day moratorium on further development of Project Bluestem or any other data center proposals, battery storage facility or crypto storage facility.
But now that decision is in peril. On May 27, the commissioners voted 3 to 2 to revisit the data center moratorium during their meeting on June 10. Commissioners will consider voting on separate moratoriums for data centers, battery storage facilities and crypto storage facilities.

Community concerns
The word Kansas translates to “people of the south wind.” If the data center is built, prevailing southerly winds would push air and noise pollution into residential neighborhoods, businesses, churches, a nurs- ing home and daycares — and to schools. Tonganoxie’s only grade school and middle school, as well as a private school, are just one and a half miles from this project.

During a predicted four-year construction phase, traffic would increase on rural roads that were not built to withstand the weight of heavy construction equipment and continuous use. While thousands of workers might be employed during construction, it’s said that once the proposed massive data center is operational, it would employ only 50 full-time highly skilled individuals, who likely wouldn’t be from the Tonganoxie area.
If Leavenworth County Commissioners approve the proposed data center, it’s anticipated that property values will decrease. In addition, residents might experience escalating electrical and natural gas rates, as well as questionable quality and quantity of water. When construction concludes, what will remain is a depleted community, spirits dampened by the knowledge that the billionaires who build data centers, and even some of their own county leaders, couldn’t care less about residents’ quality of life.

Money to be made
Leavenworth County would gain an estimated $14 million annually in property tax revenue, versus about $25,000 now collected on the property. If the City of Tonganoxie annexes the 1,000 acres to provide sewer and water for the facility, the property tax would be split equally between the county and the city.

Project Bluestem has created a highly contentious atmosphere. At least one county official described con-cerned community members as “fearmongers.” If fearmongers want to protect the environment and their community, and if they want to see the best for future generations, then we proudly will bear that name.

Picture this: The gently rolling hills of Tailgate Ranch flattened and blanketed with concrete. Precious topsoil lost forever, clean air and water a thing of the past. Yes, berms would be constructed with green spaces so that passersby supposedly would be oblivious to the destruction. But the community will know and will suffer from the punishing effects of an industry well-known for its toxicity.

To quote from the writings of environmental activist Wendell Berry, “If we want to save the land, we must save the people who belong to the land. If we want to save the people, we must save the land the people belong to.”

The decision to approve this massive and destructive project has not yet been cemented, and there is still time to help. We welcome your support in our fundraising efforts, which include the goal of retaining an attorney. In advance, we thank you for your consideration of this giving opportunity.