Pawhuska Residents Protest Proposed Data Center Near Elementary School

Protest planned ahead of city council meeting to discuss data center project

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:21pm

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A minimalist studio photograph featuring a stack of architectural blueprints, a hardhat, and a small model of a data center building, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to symbolize the abstract corporate strategy and community impact of the proposed facility.A conceptual still life representing the tensions between corporate development and community concerns over a proposed data center project in Pawhuska.Pawhuska Today

Residents of Pawhuska, Oklahoma are planning a protest before the city council meeting on Tuesday evening to voice their concerns about a proposed data center that would be located next to Indian Camp Elementary School. The protest is being organized by local resident Isabella Ortiz, who is leading the opposition to the data center project.

Why it matters

The proposed data center has sparked significant community backlash due to its proximity to an elementary school. Residents are worried about potential environmental and safety issues that could impact the school and surrounding neighborhoods.

The details

The data center would be built on a site next to Indian Camp Elementary School. Protest organizer Isabella Ortiz and other local residents are concerned about the potential impact the data center could have on the school and community, including worries about increased traffic, noise, and environmental hazards.

  • The protest is scheduled to take place prior to the Pawhuska City Council meeting on Tuesday evening.
  • The city council meeting will discuss the proposed data center project.

The players

Isabella Ortiz

A Pawhuska resident who is organizing the protest against the proposed data center project.

Pawhuska City Council

The local governing body that will be discussing and potentially deciding on the data center proposal at their upcoming meeting.

Indian Camp Elementary School

The elementary school that is located adjacent to the proposed site for the data center.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow a data center to be built so close to our children's school. The risks are simply too high.”

— Isabella Ortiz, Protest Organizer

What’s next

The Pawhuska City Council will discuss and potentially vote on the proposed data center project at their meeting on Tuesday evening. The outcome of this meeting will determine the next steps for the project and the community's response.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the growing tensions between the desire for economic development and the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of local communities, especially when it comes to the placement of potentially hazardous facilities near schools and residential areas.