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Residents pack City Commission meeting to oppose proposed digital campus By Jessie Wagoner
The Emporia Gazette
Concerns about the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus dominated Wednesday's Emporia City Commission meeting as a large crowd of residents voiced opposition to the project and the annexation of land associated with the proposed development. The commission considered five annexation ordinances involving properties near U.S. Highway 50, Road 180, Road F and Road 190. The properties are being voluntarily annexed under Kansas law and would require additional zoning approvals and other actions before any development could occur. During a lengthy public forum, speaker after speaker raised concerns about water consumption, electrical demand, environmental impacts, noise, property values and what many described as a lack of transparency surrounding the project. Several residents called for a moratorium on data center development until additional studies can be completed and more information can be shared with the public. One speaker questioned why so little information has been released about the project, asking commissioners to identify the investors behind the proposal and explain exactly what type of operations the facility would support. "We need to know who these investors are," the speaker said. "Are
JESSIE WAGONER/GAZETTE
Residents filled the Emporia City Commission chambers and lined the walls Wednesday as dozens turned out to voice concerns over the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus. Speakers raised questions about water usage, energy demands, environmental impacts and the overall transparency of the project during an extended public forum before commissioners approved a series of annexation ordinances tied to the proposed development.
they trying to run large language models? Are they mining for cryptocurrency? And if they are, they should have to get up here and explain to all of us what that is." The speaker also questioned whether the city should offer incentives for the project, citing research that suggested tax breaks are not the primary factor in data
center location decisions and arguing that power availability, wind resources and fiber infrastructure are more important. Other concerns centered on utility costs, energy sources and backup power generation. The speaker, who identified herself as an intensive care unit nurse, said she worried about potential noise
CITY COMMISSION APPROVES AIRPORT FUEL PROJECT, SOLID WASTE STUDY AND VISIT EMPORIA EXTENSION By Jessie Wagoner
The Emporia Gazette
and light pollution because a future hospital campus is planned nearby. "We need to have them disclose their energy plan so we can evaluate clean alternatives during permitting," she said, adding that diesel backup generators could create public health concerns during power outages.
Christy Deckett, who said she returned to Emporia several years ago and purchased property on Road F5, told commissioners that maps of the proposal show her home would be surrounded by the planned development. Please see Residents, Page 16
UNBOUND WEEK GENERATES MORE THAN 650 CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR LYON COUNTY DISPATCHERS
While much of Wednesday's Emporia City Commission meeting was dominated by public comments regarding the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus, commissioners also approved several infrastructure and operational items affecting city services. Commissioners unanimously appointed Angela Acosta-Cruz to the Emporia Human Relations Commission before moving into the regular business agenda. One of the larger items approved was the installation of a new 24-hour aircraft fueling sysJESSIE WAGONER/GAZETTE tem at Emporia Municipal Air- Emporia Zoo Director Brenda Young, joined by members of the zoo port. Interim Public Works Direc- staff, accepts a proclamation from the Emporia City Commission tor Brian Silcott said the current designating June as Zoo Month during Wednesday’s commission Please see City, Page 16
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meeting. The proclamation recognizes the zoo’s educational programs, conservation efforts and contributions to the community.
Good Evening How refreshing to see people at the city commission meeting!
By Jessie Wagoner
The Emporia Gazette
The thousands of cyclists, spectators and visitors who came to Emporia for the 2026 UNBOUND Gravel race also brought a significant increase in activity for local emergency communications personnel. According to Roxy VanGundy, director of the Lyon County Emer-
gency Communications Center, dispatchers entered 651 calls for service between noon May 27 and 5 a.m. May 31. The total includes emergency and non-emergency calls as well as officer-initiated activity and represented an increase from the 563 calls recorded during the same period during the 2025 event. Please see 911, Page 11