(PathOne Representatives at Tuesday's Meeting in Hull -- Community First Broadcasting Staff Photo)Hull, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — The City of Hull wanted more information about potential data-center development in the area, leading to Tuesday night’s community meeting with PathOne Data Centers.
Hull Mayor Arlan Moss opened the meeting at American Reformed Church, saying city officials had begun hearing about possible development near the community.
Moss stressed that the city has not taken a position on data centers and said the goal was to listen, learn, and better understand the issue.
PathOne Outlines “Edge” Data Center Concept
PathOne representatives described the smaller “edge” data centers the company says it wants to build — typically around 10 megawatts, using a close-looped cooling system, and located on existing industrial property rather than farmland. The company has encouraged Sioux County to adopt a 25-megawatt cap and regulations covering noise, water, lighting, and infrastructure costs.
PathOne again noted that no project is approved while Sioux County’s moratorium remains in place, but acknowledged identifying one potential site near Hull and Perkins and conducting due diligence on the property.
Residents Question PathOne’s Track Record
Much of the Q&A focused on whether residents could trust PathOne to follow through on its promises.
Hull resident Greta Grand noted the company’s limited history.
PathOne said members have prior data-center experience under other business entities and that three projects are under construction in Texas. When asked where those projects could be researched, PathOne said confidentiality agreements prevent disclosure — prompting further questions about how residents could verify the company’s claims.
PathOne said that is why they want strict county regulations, not blind trust, and said those restrictions should remain attached to the property even if ownership changes.
Power, Water and Environmental Questions
Residents also asked about air pollution from backup generators, coolant disposal, electromagnetic fields, noise, and whether the region has enough electric capacity to support a data center without harming other consumers.
PathOne said diesel generators, if required by a tenant, would be used primarily during outages, not for continuous generation. The company said it would support requiring an environmental study.
One resident asked what happens to coolant at the end of its life. PathOne said it would be collected and transported off-site for treatment. Another resident raised concerns about electromagnetic fields; PathOne said construction and shielding would prevent significant exposure and offered to provide the studies it relies on.
Northwest REC’s Lyle Korver addressed electric-capacity concerns, saying the potential site already has underused substation capacity. He said Northwest REC has discussed load shedding with PathOne during rare periods of extreme demand and noted PathOne would pay and that Northwest REC has discussed load shedding with PathOne during rare periods of extreme demand. He also said PathOne would pay for any transmission upgrades needed for future growth.
What Would Sioux County Get?
Another recurring theme was what residents would actually gain if a data center were built.
Hull resident Nic Kramer asked PathOne what tangible benefit people could point to years later.
PathOne pointed to property taxes, potential electric-rate benefits, and community investment through its foundation and proposed Community Advisory Council. Employment would be modest — generally 10 to 25 workers, depending on facility size, with jobs ranging from facilities work to electrical engineering and other technical roles.
Sioux County Zoning Director Shane Walter said the county’s eventual data-center ordinance will require an economic benefit agreement from any developer.
Walter said that would provide benefits beyond property taxes and employment.
Residents also asked who would use the facility. PathOne said it would prefer local and regional customers such as banks, healthcare systems, or other businesses, but acknowledged it could not guarantee all tenants would be local.
For now, PathOne says it is aware of only one potential opportunity in Sioux County — the site near Hull — and any development would have to wait for the county to complete its regulatory process.
