Q: What is “Project Bluestem?”
A: Project Bluestem is the name of a proposed hyperscale data center that will be put on Tailgate Ranch on Highway 1 just south of the Hills Pet Food facility. This massive data center will go all the way to Hemphill Road.
Q: What is CAB?
A: CAB stands for “Citizens Against Bluestem.” We are a dedicated group of Leavenworth County citizens who are opposed to the build of a hyperscale data center south of Tonganoxie. (We are, of course, pro the Little Bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium), the official Kansas state grass.
Q: Are you the same as the Facebook group “Tongie Data Center Watchdog Group”?
A: Yes.
Q: Why are you against this data center? Won’t it bring jobs and lots of tax revenue?
A: We do not want a data center in our community because the costs to our town could far outweigh the benefits.
Large data centers use significant amounts of water for cooling systems, placing added strain on local water supplies that residents, farmers, and businesses depend on. They also consume enormous amounts of electricity, contributing to higher utility rates for local households.
Beyond water and energy use, a massive data center could permanently change the character of our town by turning a rural or residential community into an industrial center dominated by warehouses, substations, transmission lines, traffic, and constant mechanical noise. We believe growth should protect our resources, preserve our identity, and prioritize the long-term well-being of Tonganoxie.
Q: So you’re against progress.
A: No. We want progress, but not at the cost of our quality of life.