City of Maquoketa, consultant, cease talks about data center development

The City of Maquoketa and its development consultant have stopped consideration of a data center development in Maquoketa’s South Highway 61 Industrial Park, according to a news release.

The City of Maquoketa and its development consultant, Gronen, have mutually agreed to cease preliminary discussions regarding the potential development of a data center. Gronen remains interested in partnering with the city on other heavy industrial opportunities should they arise in Maquoketa in the future, the release says.

"The City of Maquoketa remains committed to the thoughtful development of its heavy industrial land for a variety of potential uses," the release says. "These opportunities have been, and will continue to be, discussed and evaluated with the community. The Highway 61 Industrial District is recognized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority as a Certified Site, and growth within the Heavy Industrial Park is supported by a number of adopted City and community plans."

Neither city staff nor members of the city council have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) related to the discussions. City representatives have consistently emphasized that conversations about a potential data center were preliminary and in the early stages.

"City Council and staff remain committed to considering public development proposals that place the interests of the community first. Moving forward from this announcement, staff and Council will also take time to review development regulations within the Heavy Industrial District to ensure the City is well prepared for future business development proposals—not only for data centers or related facilities, but for a broad range of heavy industrial uses," the release concludes.

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