I have built my home and life in Cherryvale, KS. I run a local business, farm, and am raising my kids here. This community, with its serene environment and strong sense of unity, is more than just a place for us—it’s home. However, the proposed construction of a hyperscale data center threatens to disrupt everything we cherish about Cherryvale.

Firstly, the data center will have a colossal impact on our water supply. Data centers require massive amounts of water for cooling, which could lead to local water scarcity. This is a significant concern for our farming community, upon which our livelihoods and the local economy depend. According to a U.S. Geological Survey, an average data center can use millions of gallons of water each day, risking our precious groundwater reserves.

Moreover, the noise pollution from such facilities is detrimental to our health and wellbeing. With constant humming and vibrations, the noise from a data center can lead to sleep disturbances, stress, and even cardiovascular issues, as noted in a study by the British Medical Journal. For those of us living within two miles, like my family, this risk is immediate and unavoidable.

Air quality is also at risk, as data centers often rely on diesel generators to ensure constant power supply. The emissions from these generators contribute to local air pollution, which can aggravate respiratory conditions and reduce overall air quality, endangering our health.

Economically, the presence of a hyperscale data center threatens to devalue our properties. Real estate experts agree that industrial developments tend to lower property values, detracting from the investments we have made in our homes and land. Furthermore, the tax incentives often given to such large corporations can shift the financial burden onto local taxpayers, without guaranteeing local job creation.

Finally, once these corporations extract all they can from our community, they could leave us with an environmental mess that local resources cannot afford to clean up. This situation will place an undue responsibility and burden on Cherryvale for decades.

We must stand together to protect our homes and environment. Let us seek alternative, sustainable forms of development that nurture our community rather than destroy it. Your voice is crucial in this battle. By signing this petition, you help safeguard Cherryvale’s future for ourselves and generations to come. Please lend your support and sign today to prevent this hyperscale data center from being built in our cherished town.