Petition to the Maquoketa City Council, Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Planning and Zoning Commission, and all future elected officials
We, the undersigned residents, property owners, business owners, farmers, and supporters of the Maquoketa community, respectfully petition our local elected officials to prohibit the construction and expansion of industrial-scale data centers within the City of Maquoketa and its surrounding planning jurisdiction.
Maquoketa is a small community built on agriculture, family, conservation, and responsible stewardship of our natural resources. Our community should not become home to large industrial computing facilities whose demands on water, electricity, and infrastructure may permanently alter the character of our town.
We ask our local leaders to adopt ordinances that:
 ● Prohibit new hyperscale and industrial data centers within the City of Maquoketa and surrounding planning areas.
 ● Protect the Maquoketa River, local aquifers, and groundwater from excessive industrial water use.
 ● Preserve productive farmland and wildlife habitat for future generations.
 ● Protect residents from industrial noise, constant lighting, heavy truck traffic, backup generator emissions, and visual impacts.
 ● Prevent local taxpayers from subsidizing private corporations through tax abatements or infrastructure improvements.
 ● Ensure that any future industrial development provides meaningful long-term employment and measurable benefits to the community.
Our concerns include, but are not limited to:
 ● The enormous water demands associated with many large data centers.
 ● Significant electrical demand that can require expensive upgrades to transmission lines and substations.
 ● The permanent loss of productive farmland.
 ● Potential impacts on nearby property values and rural quality of life.
 ● Increased pressure on emergency services and public infrastructure.
 ● Limited permanent employment compared with the size and impact of these facilities.
We recognize that technology is important and that data centers serve a role in today’s economy. However, not every community is an appropriate location for this type of industrial development. We believe Maquoketa’s greatest strengths are its people, agriculture, natural resources, parks, outdoor recreation, and small-town character.
We respectfully request that our elected officials enact permanent protections that prevent industrial-scale data centers from being constructed within Maquoketa and surrounding areas, ensuring that future generations inherit the same clean water, productive farmland, and quality of life that we enjoy today.
We respectfully ask our elected officials to put the people of Maquoketa first and preserve the long-term health, safety, and character of our community.
Printed Name: __________________________
Address: _______________________________
Signature: ______________________________
Date: _________________________________