Data Center Conversations in the Region

Communities across the United States are increasingly being approached with data center development opportunities, driven by rapid growth in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. Pottawatomie County and the Greater Manhattan region are now part of that conversation.

We’ve compiled a reference guide for a clear, fact-based foundation to help local leaders evaluate whether—and under what conditions—data center development aligns with regional priorities.

Data centers represent a distinct category of economic development. They are:

Highly capital-intensive (often $500 million to $1+ billion)
Dependent on large-scale infrastructure, particularly electricity and fiber
Low in permanent employment relative to their size

They can expand the tax base and drive infrastructure investment, but also introduce considerations related to energy demand, land use, and (depending on design) water consumption.

Kansas has established a structured policy environment for large-load users. Through Evergy, the Kansas Corporation Commission, and Senate Bill 98 (2025), data centers are required to:

Fund infrastructure needed to serve them
Enter long-term power agreements
Pay rates aligned with system costs

This reduces the likelihood of cost shifting to residential ratepayers while providing clarity for developers.

Key takeaway:
Data centers are neither inherently beneficial nor harmful. Outcomes depend on:

Infrastructure capacity and scalability
Local policy decisions (land use, incentives, siting)
The structure of individual projects

For Pottawatomie County and the Greater Manhattan region, this is an early-stage exploration—not a commitment.

The region has begun coordinated engagement with utilities, institutions, and regional partners to understand opportunities and constraints. The policies established now will shape how future proposals are evaluated.

Bottom line:
The region is in a position to define the terms of engagement.

Download a printer-friendly version of the Data Center Reference Guide here.

Download a printer-friendly version of the Summary Guide here.

Join us for a community conversation on June 3 at the Perry Memorial Armory in St Marys.