A data center is driving Independence's mayoral race
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A Dutch company is shaping Independence's April 7 election. Photo: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Independence's next mayor may be decided over a plan to build a massive AI data center with major tax incentives.
Why it matters: The $150.6 billion project has split the two leading candidates, with one backing the incentives and the other pushing for a public vote.
Zoom in: Bridget McCandless, a city councilmember and health professional, is running against Kevin King, a labor advocate and businessman.
- McCandless led the February primary with 42.6% of the vote; King placed second with 22%.
- Mayor Rory Rowland, elected in 2022, is not running again.
Catch up quick: Dutch company Nebius plans to build on nearly 400 acres along the Little Blue River in eastern Independence.
- The city council in March voted 5-2 to waive most of the data center's property and real estate taxes for 20 years, amounting to over $6 billion in tax breaks.
- Nebius will instead pay the city through PILOT fees that would increase over time and total roughly $651 million. Independence School District would get a little more than half. Other beneficiaries include libraries, the city and the county.
- Residents raised concerns about environmental impact, health and government transparency during the 5 1/2-hour meeting.
State of play: McCandless voted for the project, touting its fiscal benefits.
- King initially advocated for the data center, but he wanted stronger community benefits and later signed a petition to bring the deal to a public vote.
- A judge ruled against the petition since the ordinance had already been approved.
What they're saying: "We need leadership that stops cutting the public out and starts putting people back at the center of decisions," King stated on Facebook after the judge's ruling.
The other side: McCandless defended the vote by pointing to contractual protections with Nebius against power grid, workforce and safety issues, and said the deal was made with the entire city's population in mind.
- "I'm not going to vote for something that's going to endanger myself, my family, my community," McCandless said at the vote.
Between the lines: Two at-large council seats are also on the ballot, including McCandless' current seat along with incumbent Jared Fears, who supported the project.
- Of the other three challengers, only Jackie Dorman has spoken out against the deal, KCUR reports.
The bottom line: Organizers against the project vow to vote for King and Dorman.