Sedgwick County Residents Protest Proposed Data Centers

Hundreds voice concerns over energy costs, pollution, and damage to infrastructure at county listening session.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hundreds of Sedgwick County residents, many wearing 'No Data Center' shirts, attended a county listening session to voice opposition to proposed data centers. Residents cited concerns over energy costs, pollution, water usage, infrastructure damage, and more. The county has a temporary moratorium on data centers in place to allow time to develop regulations, but many residents fear tech companies are already buying land for future data centers and urged the county to either ban them or create strict rules.

Why it matters

The debate over data centers in Sedgwick County highlights the tension between technological progress and environmental/community impact. As data demands grow, local governments must balance economic development with protecting the quality of life for residents.

The details

During the listening session, over 50 residents spoke out against the data centers, with only 5 voicing support. Concerns ranged from high energy costs and pollution to excessive water usage and damage to local infrastructure. Some residents suggested putting the issue to a public vote, arguing the county should not unilaterally decide the fate of the community. The county has a temporary moratorium in place until June 11, but commissioners indicated it could last longer as they work to develop appropriate policies and regulations.

  • The Sedgwick County listening session took place on March 13, 2026.
  • The current temporary moratorium on data centers is set to expire on June 11, 2026.

The players

Hollie Martin

Andale City Council member who spoke against the need for data centers, saying 'This is about survival, and our way of life.'

Jim Howell

Sedgwick County Commissioner who said the county will 'take our time to do this right' in developing policies around data centers.

Mike Betzen

Colwich resident who urged commissioners to 'take your time' and 'let's do it right, because this is the next 20 years to set the stage forward.'

Josie Bahr

Wichita resident who suggested the county should put the data center issue to a public vote, saying 'We are people who care about what happens in our county and in our city. We are people who vote.'

Jeremy Wheeler

The only resident who spoke in favor of data centers, arguing they are necessary to support modern technology.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've learned to distinguish a need from a want, and I can tell you, we do not need these data centers. This is about survival, and our way of life.”

— Hollie Martin, Andale City Council member (kansas.com)

“Take your time. Let's do it right, because this is the next 20 years to set the stage forward.”

— Mike Betzen, Colwich resident (kansas.com)

“We are people who care about what happens in our county and in our city. We are people who vote. I think you should put this to a vote for people who live in Sedgwick County.”

— Josie Bahr, Wichita resident (kansas.com)

“If you use modern banking, cell phone, social media, internet, streaming, anything, email, text messaging, remote work, supply chain, emergency services, utilities, data services, healthcare, electronic data, give them all up. Because they wouldn't exist without data centers.”

— Jeremy Wheeler (kansas.com)

“How you decide to handle these data centers will have a profound effect on what our state looks like moving forward. Once Pandora's box is opened, there will be no going back.”

— Jordan Ungles, Andale resident (kansas.com)

What’s next

Sedgwick County will host another data center town hall on March 31, 2026 where the planning department will provide a presentation on data centers.

The takeaway

The debate over data centers in Sedgwick County highlights the difficult balance local governments must strike between economic development and protecting the environment and quality of life for residents. The county's decision on how to proceed will have long-lasting impacts on the community.