AWS Proposes Major 1,000-Acre Data Center Campus in Missouri

AWS Proposes Major 1,000-Acre Data Center Campus in Missouri

January 15, 2026

Amazon Web Services is considering the development of a massive data center campus in Montgomery County, Missouri, a move that signals the continued geographic expansion of hyperscale cloud infrastructure beyond traditional hubs. The project, if approved, would significantly alter the digital infrastructure landscape in the Midwest, bringing substantial investment and high-tech jobs to a region west of St. Louis.

The Montgomery County Commission recently held a public hearing to gather community feedback on the proposed development, which has been filed under the codename "Project Green." According to local reports, the application pertains to a 1,000-acre parcel of land located at the interchange of Interstate 70 and Highway 19 near New Florence. The project is being advanced through developer NorthPoint Development, LLC.

AWS plans a two-phase construction approach. The initial phase would involve building eight data center buildings, with a potential second phase adding another 13 structures of comparable size. The full-scale campus would also include multiple stormwater management ponds, three water wells, and on-site water and wastewater treatment facilities. Power for the operation is slated to be supplied by utility Ameren Missouri. AWS is reportedly aiming to finalize the property acquisition in the first quarter of 2026, though building permits have not yet been issued by the county.

Community response during the January 12 hearing was divided. While some residents welcome the economic potential, others expressed significant concerns. Janette Seper, a Montgomery County resident, told local media, "I have a lot of personal concern with noise, pollution, water usage, electrical usage... We feel that it can affect our environment, potential home values, and the feel of the community." Additional questions were raised about tax incentives, though county officials stated the framework ensures AWS will make full property tax payments throughout the project's lifespan.

The AWS proposal is not the only major data center project targeting the area. A separate, concurrent proposal dubbed "Project Spade" seeks to develop approximately 780 acres in the county and an additional 130 acres within New Florence city limits. That project, proposed by Spade Property Owners, LLC, envisions three enormous buildings, each spanning 1.08 million square feet and utilizing closed-loop cooling systems. This would position a second hyperscale campus directly across Interstate 70 from the proposed AWS site.

The potential arrival of AWS would mark a strategic expansion into a new Missouri submarket. Currently, most of the state's data center activity is concentrated in and around Kansas City. The dual proposals for Montgomery County suggest cloud providers are actively seeking new, scalable locations with available power and land to support growing demand for AI and cloud computing services, potentially establishing a new cluster in the Greater St. Louis region.

Source: datacenterdynamics