County, developers debate tech moratorium; citing ‘closed for business’ fears
Officials weigh ‘pause’ for safety regulations against economic growth risks
McPHERSON, Kan. — Differences between county officials and economic development leaders came into sharper focus during a recent emerging technologies meeting, as stakeholders weighed whether a moratorium on high-tech industrial facilities is a prudent safeguard or a potential setback for the area's growth.
At the center of the dispute is a temporary ban on new permits for data centers and renewable energy storage projects. McPherson County Commissioner Tom Kueser defended the measure as a necessary "pause" to create a regulatory playbook for rapidly evolving industries. However, Kasi Morales, executive director of the McPherson Industrial Development Company (MIDC), warned the move sends a dangerous signal that the county is "closed for business".
"We feel that a moratorium is something that has marketing implications that we're not trying to set for future business in McPherson," Morales told the commission.
Morales argued that existing zoning and cost-benefit analysis tools are sufficient to vet individual projects without a blanket ban.
"We just don't want to look like we're closed for business," Morales said.
Local crypto miner pushes back
Nick Vontz, a local developer who operates two data centers within McPherson city limits, challenged the county’s cautious approach. Vontz’s facilities are dedicated to cryptocurrency mining—a process where warehouses of high-powered computers solve complex mathematical problems to verify digital transactions for currencies like Bitcoin.
Vontz argued that his operations generate sales tax revenue and local jobs without requesting the tax abatements often sought by larger industrial players. Addressing environmental concerns, Vontz noted his facilities use air-cooling systems rather than water, neutralizing fears of draining local aquifers.
"I'd like to see this moratorium lifted," Vontz said. "We're paying for that infrastructure 100%. The utility company is not paying for any of it".
Infrastructure and safety gaps
Despite the economic arguments, officials raised concerns regarding the county’s readiness for industrial-scale tech. McPherson County Planning and Zoning Director Jon Kinsey warned that heavy truck traffic associated with construction could damage the county's unpaved sand roads and aging bridges.
"If you put a data center out two or three miles out on a dirt road... what are you going to use for a road?" Kinsey asked.
Safety regulations also appear to be lagging behind the technology. McPherson Fire Chief Chad Mayberry told the assembly that Kansas is currently operating under the 2006 state fire code, which does not address modern hazards like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) or data centers.
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