Data Centers in Brookings
Summary
A proposed $41 million edge computing center in the research park asked for a sales tax rebate on construction and equipment. Council members worried about power demand (equal to thousands of homes), noise near apartments, e-waste, and whether residents' electric bills could rise — and voted the incentive down 7-0.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Last discussed Feb 24, 2026.
Impact analysis
The project is roughly $41 million with projected one-time construction impacts near $54.9 million; the denied rebate would have returned sales tax on construction and equipment to the company.
If it moves forward without the rebate, the center would serve Brookings and regional businesses needing secure local data infrastructure.
Residents could have faced higher electric bills and noise near the site had the facility been incentivized without safeguards.
Mentions & discussions (2)
City Council — November 9, 2026
The Brookings Regional Growth Alliance is hosting a Perspectives panel on data centers — a topic that touches on electricity demand, water use, tax base, and potential jobs. Council members will attend to listen and learn, though no decisions will be made at this event.
City Council — February 24, 2026
A proposed $41 million edge computing center in the research park asked for a sales tax rebate on construction and equipment. Council members worried about power demand (equal to thousands of homes), noise near apartments, e-waste, and whether residents' electric bills could rise — and voted the incentive down 7-0.
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