Franklin County Officials Discuss Power Infrastructure for Potential Data Center Development with Ameren Missouri

Franklin County Explores Power Capacity for Data Center Growth December 26, 2025 Officials in Franklin County, Missouri, have initiated preliminary discussions with utility provider Ameren Missouri to assess the region's electrical infrastructure and its capacity to support potential large-scale data center development. The talks underscore the growing competition among regions to attract the capital-intensive data center industry, which requires massive, reliable power supplies but promises significant economic investment and job creation. The meeting involved Franklin County Commissioners Ken Cox and Paul Overschmidt, who engaged with Ameren Missouri's economic development executive, James O'Mara, and regional account executive, Jeff Hasting. The dialogue focused on the current state and future capabilities of the local power grid. A key point of discussion was Ameren's ongoing integration of renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power, into its generation portfolio. This shift is increasingly critical for data center operators, who are under mounting pressure from investors and clients to power their facilities with sustainable energy and reduce their carbon footprint. While no specific project was announced, the exploration of power infrastructure is a foundational step for any locality seeking to enter the data center market. The industry's expansion is driven by the relentless growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital services, leading to surging demand for data processing and storage facilities. For Franklin County, proactively understanding its utility landscape positions it to compete for future developments that could bring substantial tax revenue and high-tech employment opportunities. Source: missourian