(Sioux County Courthouse -- KIWA Staff Photo)Orange City, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Residents pressed PathOne Data Centers for clearer, more specific answers during a nearly three-hour informational meeting Monday night at the Sioux County Courthouse. Attendance was capped at 150 because of courtroom capacity.
PathOne is considering redeveloping the former Bison Renewable Energy property along 330th Street near Hull, just south of the Highway 18 and 75 intersection known as Perkins Corner.
Supervisor Carl Vande Weerd emphasized that PathOne organized the meeting and the county only provided the venue. It was not a formal hearing, and Sioux County has not approved a data center at the property.
PathOne Presents Smaller-Scale Concept
PathOne said the facility could begin with a 10-megawatt data center occupying about 40,000 square feet. The company builds in 10-megawatt blocks but is asking Sioux County to limit any project at the site to no more than 25 megawatts.
A fully developed site would occupy fewer than 30 acres and represent an estimated investment of $100 million to $375 million, according to company projections.
PathOne representative Gyles Uhlenhopp described the concept as an “edge” data center, contrasting it with hyperscale developments that can occupy hundreds of acres and consume several hundred megawatts.
PathOne said the facility could serve financial institutions, health care systems, manufacturers, or other organizations using cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
The company does not currently have a defined tenant. PathOne previously said it had a prospective end user, but that arrangement changed after the county adopted its data-center moratorium.
CEO Jim DiNoia acknowledged that no data center has yet been completed under the PathOne name, though representatives said team members have decades of experience working on facilities through other companies.
Residents Question Water, Noise, and Accountability
Audience questions dominated much of the meeting, with residents seeking project-specific figures and enforceable commitments rather than estimates that could change with final design or tenant needs.
-Water Use-
PathOne said a 10-megawatt facility would use 350,000 to 700,000 gallons annually, while a full 25-megawatt development would use 875,000 to 1.7 million gallons per year.
Representatives said the facility would use a closed-loop water-and-glycol cooling system that recirculates fluid rather than consuming water through evaporation. The patented technology belongs to an engineering partner.
Residents asked where the cooling fluid would go when replaced, whether nearby wells could be affected, and whether penalties would apply if consumption exceeded projections.
PathOne said used fluid would be transported off-site for processing. Representatives also agreed to conduct an environmental impact study after a resident requested a full accounting of what would enter and leave the facility.
-Noise-
Residents also asked about possible low-frequency noise and its effects on people, livestock, and wildlife. A representative said specialists would need to be consulted.
PathOne said its design goal is to keep sound below 55 decibels at the property line. Independent testing would establish existing noise levels and measure the completed facility.
Construction, Electricity, and Future Ownership
A nearby resident asked how long construction would last and whether evening work would be audible.
PathOne estimated 12 to 14 months of construction. Representatives said work hours and truck routes could be addressed through permitting, and the company would pay for road, fence, or other property damage caused by construction.
Residents also asked what would happen if PathOne sold the facility. Representatives said operational requirements could be attached to the property so they would continue under future owners.
-Electrical Demand-
A representative from North West Rural Electric Cooperative compared the demand from a 10-megawatt facility to one of the area’s larger ethanol plants.
Audience members questioned whether that additional demand could strain the regional grid. The cooperative representative said the facility’s steady electrical use and possible participation in emergency load-shedding could provide some advantages. PathOne said backup generators could allow parts of the facility to disconnect from the grid during emergencies.
PathOne said it would pay for all electrical and fiber infrastructure required by its development.
Taxes and Employment
PathOne said it would request no local property-tax abatement and would pay full property taxes on the taxable portion of the development.
The company projected the facility could become one of Sioux County’s largest property taxpayers, though the final amount would depend on assessed value and tax treatment.
PathOne acknowledged the development would not create a large number of permanent jobs. A completed facility would support 10 to 20 full-time positions, along with temporary construction employment. Representatives said they would seek local contractors when possible, though specialized work may require firms with data-center experience.
County Officials Clarify the Process
During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Zoning Director Shane Walter said Monday’s discussion gave residents an opportunity to be heard.
Walter made a similar point Monday night when he explained that adopting data-center regulations would not automatically approve PathOne’s concept. Any application would still require county review and public hearings.
Board Chairman Jerry Muilenburg said a small working group is developing preliminary suggestions for potential regulations, but its work will not become policy on its own.
Any recommended regulations would ultimately advance to the Board of Supervisors.
Supervisors also clarified that PathOne’s proposed Community Advisory Council is separate from the county working group. The company-organized council could provide input but would have no authority to write or approve regulations.
Sioux County’s one-year moratorium on new data centers and industrial battery-storage facilities remains in effect in unincorporated areas. The moratorium, adopted June 16th, would need to be lifted or allowed to expire before any data-center proposal could move forward. Supervisors took no action Tuesday to lift it.
Site Visits and Additional Meetings
PathOne will allow residents to visit the potential project site at 3071 330th St. during the following times:
- Wednesday, August 12th — 3 to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, August 13th — 3 to 6 p.m.
- Friday, August 14th — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PathOne also plans additional in-person meetings and an online webinar. The company says it will publish written answers to questions raised during Monday’s meeting on its Sioux County project page.
