Festus City Council Approves $6 Billion Data Center Despite Resident Outcry

Hundreds of locals pack gym to protest, but council votes 6-2 to move forward with project.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:57am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of official documents and a wooden gavel on a plain white background, symbolizing the corporate strategy and legal framework behind the contentious data center project.As a community grapples with the approval of a major data center project, the legal and financial details behind the decision come into focus.Festus Today

Despite vocal opposition from hundreds of Festus, Missouri residents who packed a high school gym to protest, the city council voted 6-2 to approve a $6 billion data center project proposed by developer CRG, a subsidiary of Clayco. The decision came after over two hours of public comments, with the mayor cutting off further input before the council's vote.

Why it matters

The data center project has been a source of major controversy in Festus, with residents expressing concerns about the environmental impact, disruption to their neighborhoods, and lack of public input. However, the city sees substantial financial incentives, including an estimated $1.3 billion in revenue and millions in annual utility tax payments.

The details

The approved ordinance sets a framework of requirements for the data center developer, including infrastructure upgrades and offering voluntary buyouts to homeowners within 1,000 feet of the facility. While two council members voted against the proposal, the majority approved it, leading to an angry response from residents who felt their voices were ignored.

  • On April 3, 2026, the Festus City Council voted 6-2 to approve the data center project.
  • For months, Festus residents have been pushing back against the proposed data center.

The players

Festus City Council

The local government body that voted to approve the $6 billion data center project despite strong public opposition.

CRG

A subsidiary of real estate firm Clayco, the developer proposing to build the $6 billion data center on over 360 acres of land in Festus.

Staci Templeton and Brian Wehner

The two Festus City Council members who voted against approving the data center ordinance.

Lauren Albers

A Festus resident who lives near the proposed data center location and spoke out against the project at the council meeting.

Rozilyn Daniels and Mercie Daniels

A mother and daughter who live in a home eligible for a buyout from the data center developer, expressing concerns about the impact on their lives.

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What they’re saying

“I am not against growth. I'm against putting data centers between homes. I am against rushing into development before residents get real information, real answers and a real voice.”

— Lauren Albers, Festus resident

“I hate that that is the reality of my life now. I hate how they think of these places as houses and not homes. These are people, and it really affects us.”

— Rozilyn Daniels and Mercie Daniels, Festus residents

What’s next

The financial and legal battle over the data center project is expected to continue, as opponents have signaled the conflict is far from over despite the council's approval.

The takeaway

This case highlights the tensions between economic development and community concerns, as well as the challenges local governments face in balancing the interests of residents and businesses when approving major projects that could reshape a community.