LV COUNTY KS 2026-08-19

This was a public meeting of the Leavenworth County, Kansas government held on August 20, 2026, focused primarily on community concerns regarding a proposed large-scale data center project known as Project Bluestem. Numerous residents and stakeholders provided public comments expressing skepticism about the financial and environmental impacts of the project, including critiques of a Stifel financial report that was described as incomplete and overly optimistic regarding tax revenues and costs. Speakers raised issues about potential negative effects on property values, local schools, air pollution from associated gas turbine power plants, and the adequacy of county regulations to protect public health and community interests. Several called for an extension of the moratorium on data center approvals until comprehensive cost analyses and regulatory frameworks are developed. The meeting also touched on the use of funds provided by the developer and the need for transparency and due diligence in decision-making. No specific contract awards, vendor selections, or procurement actions were reported during the meeting.