FRANKLIN COUNTY 鈥 Hundreds of acres of farmland here will soon be transformed into two large-scale data centers after county leaders approved multibillion-dollar proposals despite public outcry.
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Travis Layton, of Jefferson County, Mo., shouts at the Franklin County Comissioners after a public hearing where commissioners approved the regulations for the zoning of two data centers at East Central College, in Union, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. 鈥淣obody that lives here wants it, they should do what the people鈥檚 will is,鈥 Layton said.
Developers of the Diamond Farms and Crooked Creek data center projects watch as Anthony Michael Aiello, of Pacific, shouts at them during a public hearing where Franklin County Commissioners approved the regulations for the zoning of two data centers at a meeting at East Central College in Union on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.
Dana Bowers, of Pacific, Mo., wipes a tear from her face after Franklin County Commissioners approved the regulations for the zoning of two data centers at East Central College, in Union, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Bowers house and her parents house are situated next to the proposed sites. 鈥淲hen people start getting sick, the blood is on their hands,鈥 Bowers said.
Susanna Bullock, of Pacific, Mo., shouts in her public comment during a public hearing where Franklin County Commissioners approved the regulations for the zoning of two data centers at East Central College, in Union, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. 鈥淚鈥檓 afraid of data centers,鈥 Bullock said.
Chuck Abrahamson, a small farmer of Union, Mo., makes a comment during a public hearing where Franklin County Commissioners approved the regulations for the zoning of two data centers at East Central College, in Union, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. 鈥淚鈥檓 worried about our watersheds and waterways,鈥 Abrahamson said.
Jeannine Crider, of Pacific, Mo., wears an apron advocating against data centers and leads a group prayer before a public hearing where Franklin County Commissioners approved the regulations for the zoning of two data centers at East Central College, in Union, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.
A sign attached to the back of a pickup truck advocates againt data centers in the parking lot before a public hearing where Franklin County Commissioners approved the regulations for the zoning of two data centers at East Central College, in Union, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.
Denise Baker, of Robertsville, Mo., raises her fist and chants 鈥淲hat would Dolly do鈥 during a public hearing where Franklin County Commissioners approved the regulations for the zoning of two data centers at East Central College, in Union, Mo., on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. She sang a reworked rendition of Dolly Parton鈥檚 鈥9 to 5鈥 that she wrote to illustrate a life living near a data center. 鈥淒olly wasn鈥檛 afraid to speak out to help others,鈥 Baker said.
