Norwalk Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed Data Center Plan

City Council faces heated debates over $12 billion data center project.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Norwalk City Council is facing heated debates over a proposed plan to attract a $12 billion data center project, with some residents voicing concerns about the lack of transparency and the council's ability to make an objective decision on the matter.

Why it matters

The proposed data center project has the potential to bring significant economic benefits to Norwalk, including a projected $500-600 million valuation and a shift in the city's tax base. However, residents are concerned about the lack of public access to the development agreement and the potential for the council's decision-making to be compromised.

The details

The data center project is being proposed by a company that would prepare the site for the data center. The mayor argues that the project is in the best interest of Norwalk, but some residents, such as Glen Bowen and Brad Hoyt, have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the council's ability to make an objective decision.

  • The Norwalk City Council is scheduled to vote on the data center proposal on Thursday night.

The players

Norwalk City Council

The governing body of the city of Norwalk, Iowa, responsible for making decisions on the proposed data center project.

Glen Bowen

A resident of Warren County near Norwalk who is concerned about the city's ability to make an objective decision on the data center project.

Tom Phillips

The mayor of Norwalk, who argues that the data center project would bring significant economic benefits to the city.

Brad Hoyt

A nearby resident who has raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the data center project.

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What they’re saying

“I just feel like overall, what the city knows about this project. I think they know a lot, but I think that this developers that people's hands are gonna be tied.”

— Glen Bowen, Resident (weareiowa.com)

“Right now, 84% of our tax our property taxes come from residential users in most communities our size. That's about more like a 70% ... this moves that needle quite a bit just off this one project.”

— Tom Phillips, Mayor (weareiowa.com)

“Nobody had seen the contract, other than city employees and city council persons, I assume, and I didn't get my hands on it until yesterday.”

— Brad Hoyt, Resident (weareiowa.com)

What’s next

The Norwalk City Council is scheduled to vote on the data center proposal on Thursday night, and the decision could have significant implications for the city's future.

The takeaway

The proposed data center project in Norwalk has sparked a heated debate between city officials and residents, with concerns over transparency and the council's ability to make an objective decision. The outcome of the vote could have far-reaching consequences for the city's economic future.