Houses along Glenkee Court, top, and Ashford Place in Festus can be seen next to land where a developer wants to build a data center as seen from a drone on Monday, March 30, 2026. There is a large vocal group of residents in Festus who are opposed to the development.
“Vote them out” chants Gabe Cotton, left, and Eric Fehn, center, as the Festus city council begins voting to advance a bill for a proposed data center during a meeting at Festus High School on Monday, March 30, 2026.
FESTUS — Residents here on Wednesday credited widespread anger at a proposed data center — and huge voter turnout — for election results that turned all four incumbents out of office.
"Vote them out," was chanted by the crowd as the Festus City Council moved to approve a $6 billion, 365-acre data center despite passionate pleas from some residents to reject the plan or let the citizens vote on the development.
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Data center critics say the 4 ignored public opposition; the officials' attorney says the petitions cite insufficient grounds for a recall vote.
Catch up on Tuesday's election results.
It's not clear when, or even if, property tax freezes passed by voters will go into effect.
The suit comes just over a week after the Festus City Council approved the data center
Houses along Glenkee Court, top, and Ashford Place in Festus can be seen next to land where a developer wants to build a data center as seen from a drone on Monday, March 30, 2026. There is a large vocal group of residents in Festus who are opposed to the development.
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