As a lifelong Montanan, raised with genuine respect for the land and our role as its stewards, I find the proposed AI data center at the Bonner Mill site by Krambu Inc. deeply unsettling. This project threatens to disrupt the delicate ecological balance of our beloved Blackfoot River, a cherished natural resource that plays a vital role in our community's environmental and cultural identity. The thought of an AI data center, with its massive infrastructure and potential for pollution, overshadowing one of Montana's iconic landscapes is disheartening.

I own Big Sky Flies, a local Missoula-based metal art studio, and the potential negative impact of Krambu Inc.'s facility on small businesses is alarming. The data center's enormous power demands are likely to strain the NorthWestern Energy grid, which is likely to result in increased electricity rates that would present a significant burden to small business owners like myself. Such hikes have already been demonstrated in data center-heavy regions, and in Missoula this would burden welding operations and our community’s economy without delivering meaningful local jobs (just ~10 promised). Price hikes without boosted economy not only threaten our day-to-day operations in the short term but also challenge the very sustainability of small business communities that form the backbone of Montana’s economy and community.

Additionally, the data center's operation could set a precedent for further industrial developments in an area that residents have long fought to preserve for its historical and natural significance. Allowing this project to go forward may open the floodgates for additional developments that undervalue and exploit our local resources for corporate interests, denying the interests of the collective residents and taxpayers who actually live here.

I urge Missoula County to reject all permits associated with this data center proposal, thereby protecting our environment, our economy, and our community integrity. We need to stand united in preserving our local treasures, bolstering our economy in ways that favor Montanans over corporations, and ensuring consistent energy costs that allow small businesses to thrive without fear of overwhelming financial strain from external developments.

Please join me in opposing this project to safeguard our region against unsustainable industrial growth that benefits a wealthy few at the expense of the common many. I implore Missoula County officials to prioritize our community and environment by refusing Krambu Inc.'s application and take a stand for the future of Montana's rich landscapes and vibrant local businesses. Sign this petition and be a voice for responsible stewardship and community-centric progress.