Bonner, Montana Data Center Project Canceled After Massive Petition Campaign

A proposed Bonner data center project was canceled after nearly 50,000 petition signatures opposed it.

Missoula metalworker Paul Barmore organized an online petition against the data center, prompting Bonner Mill Industrial Park’s general manager Mike Heisey to withdraw support. This episode highlights growing local resistance to infrastructure projects perceived as threats to natural resources.

Krambu, an AI infrastructure company, submitted its application in March for a data center at the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork rivers. Residents raised alarms about potential water contamination and the substantial power demand, estimated to match thousands of homes. Despite developers’ claims of minimal water use, public concern grew rapidly, driving a petition that amassed almost 50,000 signatures in under three months. Heisey attributed his decision to public feedback and environmental worries.

Missoula County commissioners will consider a one-year moratorium on new data centers at their July 9 meeting.

While Montana was not specifically mentioned in the debate, the state’s reliance on pristine waterways and locally valued natural landscapes could intensify scrutiny of resource-intensive projects. Industries here may find community engagement and environmental impact concerns increasingly influential in permitting and development decisions.

Bonner data center plans halted following public outcry
By Austin Amestoy, MTPR Montana Public Radio