Woodward data center deal prompts ID check at public meeting

Microsoft purchased approximately 600 acres in the Woodward Eco Business Park on the city’s south side for a new data center campus. The announcement occurred during a gathering held on October 12 at the Woodward-Granger High School auditorium. City officials characterized the event as a community conversation, though the City Council had cancelled its regular meeting for that date.

Entry to the auditorium required attendees to present a photo ID listing a Woodward address or a piece of mail containing their name and local address. Security officers and police monitored the door to verify these documents. Randy Evans, president of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, was turned away despite his presence. A rural Dallas County resident interested in the project was also refused entry, and a KCCI reporter observed at least two other individuals denied access.

Mayor Todd Folkerts and three Microsoft representatives addressed roughly 200 residents who made it inside. The session lasted 90 minutes. Folkerts stated that the council must approve a development agreement and a site plan before the project can move forward. Because fewer than a majority of the five council members attended, the gathering likely falls outside the requirements of Iowa’s open meetings law.

Microsoft officials told the crowd that a closed-loop cooling system would protect the city’s water supply. They also noted that purchasing electricity from a wholesaler would help maintain residential rates. These plans involve resources that extend beyond Woodward’s borders, including new power lines crossing farm fields and construction trucks using county roads.

Iowa law allows cities to review subdivision plats up to two miles beyond city limits, recognizing that local decisions affect surrounding areas. Chapter 28E of the Iowa Code further encourages local governments to share services and cooperate for mutual advantage. Central Iowa Water Works, which includes the Xenia Rural Water District, operates under this framework to plan regional drinking water. Metro Waste Authority, dating to 1969, and Polk County emergency management also utilize these cooperative agreements.

Evans told KCCI that the residency requirement erodes trust and confidence in Woodward city government. He noted that the school district used for the venue has central offices in Granger and serves taxpayers in Dallas, Boone, and Polk counties. By using the district’s building, the city utilized a facility funded by neighbors who were then screened at the door.

The council still needs to approve the development agreement and site plan. These items will be taken up at regular, properly noticed meetings open to the public. Woodward officials plan to invite the Dallas County Board of Supervisors, the Woodward-Granger school board, and nearby townships to hear the plan. They will also publish details regarding water, power, and traffic impacts.

The data center project will impact the wider region through traffic, noise, and utility usage. Neighboring residents, including those in Granger and Madrid, will share these effects. The upcoming council meetings will provide an open forum for these discussions, allowing anyone to attend and review the Microsoft proposals.