Residents and a former De Soto City Council member raised concerns during a Beale Infrastructure information session about a proposed data center project in De Soto. The discussion focused on transparency, potential utility costs, and broader community impacts as company representatives answered questions from attendees in small groups.
Beale Infrastructure officials said they are working to limit the project’s impact on residents and utility customers. The company said the data center would be cooled by air rather than water, and it committed to having no impact on future utility rate increases.
Residents questioned whether the process has been clear and consistent. Toni Caldwell said she has not been sure what information is accurate, and Sara VandeCreek said residents have asked city leaders and developers to slow the process and provide clearer explanations about where the development would be placed and how it would keep the community safe and healthy. VandeCreek also said residents have concerns that information shared earlier may differ from what people are hearing now.
Former council member Rob Daniels, who made the motion to approve the development last August, said frustration stems in part from transparency issues, including how a franchise fee cap may relate to changes in projected power use. He called for more clarity on how the project has evolved since the approval.