Join our fight against unregulated data center development in Emporia!
Join Moms Against Data Centers in our fight to protect community health and preserve local environments from the impacts of data centers. A massive data center is being planned across the road from our newest elementary school—with little oversight to protect our families. Your voice can change that.
Why this fight matters to Emporia
This isn't progress. It's a 1,000-acre gamble with our community's future, our children's health, and our property values—pushed through with a fraction of the scrutiny a project this size demands.
What's really at stake
We aren't willing to take these gambles, based on the word of men who stand to profit millions of dollars, are you?
Built Beside Our Children
The proposed site sits directly across the road from our newest elementary school. In 20 years, researchers will be studying what it means for kids to grow up next to a data center. Our children shouldn't be the experiment.
Big footprint, few jobs
This project would annex over 1,000 acres of land while delivering no meaningful long-term job growth once it is built (maybe 100 specialized jobs). We give up the land—and get little in return.
Oversight that falls short
A digital infrastructure overlay (DI-O) for a data center this size typically runs more than 30 pages. The Emporia Planning Commission offered just 11. Eleven pages cannot possibly protect a community from a project this large. Do you feel protected?
Falling property values
Land and home resale values are dropping with homeowners already seeing potential buyers refusing to even tour their homes. Families who have invested their lives in this community stand to lose the most.
FAQs
Answers to Your Common Questions About Data Centers and Community Impact
What are data centers and why should we be concerned?
Data centers house computer systems and can cause environmental and health issues due to their energy use and emissions.
How do data centers affect local communities
Data centers can lead to increased traffic, noise levels, and heat generation. They also require substantial energy which can strain local power supplies and contribute to increased carbon emissions, potentially affecting local air quality and public health.
What does Moms Against Data Centers aim to achieve with their campaigns?
Our main goal is to keep our community healthy, safe, and protected. We do not feel that the Emporia Planning Commission has the welfare of our community in mind and they are actively dismissing what is laid out in our comprehensive plan.
This Data Center is being rushed through without due consideration. We will not gamble with the future of our children.
How can I join or support Moms Against Data Centers?
You can support us by showing up to public hearings and city commission meetings, spreading awareness in your neighborhood, and email the zoning board and city commissioners your concerns – contact information is listed below.
What has Moms Against Data Centers achieved so far?
At the public hearing on 6/23/26 there was a historic public hearing on these issues where enough public outcry occurred that the topic of rezoning had to be tabled. We plan to keep applying pressure at all levels of government to disrupt, delay, and eventually defeat this data center.
Write the Zoning & Planning Board Members
Please make sure you CC the following city employees
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] to have your email added to the record.
These seven people will vote whether or not the 11 tracts of land can be rezoned as Industrial. They can vote to recommend the city commission approve or deny the DI-O and rezoning.
We are asking them to table it for at least 6 months so it does not pass to the City Commission so they have more time to adequately understand our community's position.
Please note: this is a volunteer position. Please be polite and professional in your correspondence.
Write the City Commissioners
Please make sure you CC the following address [email protected] to have your email added to the record.
These commissioners will vote to recommend the city commission approve or deny the DI-O and rezoning once it goes to them from the Zoning and Planning Board.
We are asking them to table it for at least 6 months so it does not pass to the City Commission so they have more time to adequately understand our community's position.
Please be polite and professional in your correspondence.
How to make your voice heard
1. Get informed
Understand what's being proposed and why the current agreement leaves Emporia exposed.
2. Email your commissioners
Reach out to your city commissioners directly and tell them you expect real protections—or none of this at all. Their contact information is listed above.
3. Spread the word
Talk to your neighbors, friends, and family. The more residents who speak up, the harder we are to ignore.
The Time To Speak Out Is Now
Upcoming Events
6/30/26 | 6 PM
Zoning & Planning Public Hearing
Location: White Auditorium
111 E 6th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801
7/1/26 | 11 AM
City Commissioners Meeting
Location: Municipal Courtroom
518 Mechanic Street, Emporia, KS 66801
7/10/26 | 7 AM
Regional Development Association Meeting
Location: Trusler Business Center
719 Commercial Street, Emporia, KS 66801
7/15/26 | 11 AM
City Commissioners Meeting
Location: Municipal Courtroom
518 Mechanic Street, Emporia, KS 66801
GET INFORMED
THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE.
FAQs By Emporia Neighbors United
The Flint Hills Digital Campus website is full of propaganda. Read the breakdown here.
Article on the Emporia Gazette about 6/23 Meeting
Following more than six hours of public testimony and discussion Tuesday night, the Emporia Planning Commission postponed decisions on three proposals tied to the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus.
Kansas Reflector Article
Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate.
No Data Centers Kansas Facebook Page
Stay up-to-date with fights happening across the State.
Emporia Neighbors United Facebook Group
Stay up-to-date with the broader fight happening in Emporia.
What the Map Doesn't Show
Excellent, thoughtful article in the Emporia Gazette.