‘A lot of investigation needs to happen’, Seward County prepares for possibility of a data center

SEWARD, Neb. (KLKN) – Data centers are popping up all over Nebraska.

Gage, Otoe, and Lancaster Counties are already voting on temporary pauses on new data centers or considering them.

As for Seward County, there is no confirmation one is headed their way at this time, but county officials are preparing for it by starting a conversation.

Misty Ahmic serves as chair of the Seward County Board of Commissioners.

“I think that there’s a lot of investigation that needs to happen,” she said.

Although there is no data center planned for Seward at this time, Ahmic is pushing for updates to be made to the county’s rules around them and for a six-month moratorium.

“During that time, we’re going to be looking at research on impacts to infrastructure, water, public health, there’s noise concerns, you know, traffic concerns,” she said.

Ahmic, along with commissioner Scott Pekarek, wants to form a joint committee with Seward’s Planning Commission to look into this.

“We don’t always have to reinvent the wheel, right? There’s regulation that’s been written out there, so I think learning from others, learning how these centers have impacted other counties and other communities, is really important,” said Ahmic.

“But most of all, I think it’s important to hear from Seward County residents about what they think is right for Seward County. That is really our intention.”

Channel 8 spoke with several Seward residents Tuesday night, and their responses varied.

Devin Koranda has lived in Seward his entire life and works in agriculture.

He says his take on the matter is traditional.

“It’d probably be good for construction and some jobs, but I’m old school, I don’t like growth, I don’t want my town to get bigger,” said Koranda.

“They’re going to need the land to build it, so that means they would need it from a farmer, and farmers don’t sell their land unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Tiger Evans works in construction and has lived in Seward for about 5 years now.

He said he feels neutral, but if a data center has to head their way, he’d embrace its benefits.

“It helps construction companies actually make an income because that’s where a lot of the money is at right now, at data centers,” said Evans.

“Especially when starting off to get that bid. That’s a lot of money to start and make a company out of the name.”

Both residents shared similar thoughts on the six-month moratorium.

“I don’t think anything that big could be decided on in six months,” said Koranda.

“It might be a little too short,” said Evans.

Ahmic says the six-month period was suggested by the county attorney and could be presented to the 11 communities of Seward County as early as next week.

She adds that if it is approved and needs to be extended, they can do that.