The promise of a political reckoning made by residents opposed to a $6 billion data center proposal in Festus came true Tuesday, as four city council members lost their reelection bids.
The major shakeup of the council came after months of growing fervor against its members and Mayor Sam Richards over CRG Clayco’s plan to build a likely hyperscale data center on 360 acres just north of Highway 67.
The four council members who supported the development were ousted by four candidates who each ran on pro-transparency and anti-data center platforms. The council has a total of eight members.
“This data center fight has struck this community to the core and really, honestly ignited a community-driven effort here,” said Dan Moore, who defeated Ward 3 incumbent Bobby Benz, according to unofficial election results. “People are awake now, and we're not going to let this continue on anymore.”
See video of a major construction executive standing by the controversial $6 billion data center project after Festus voters rejected it and a lawsuit challenged its approval.
