Jun 29, 2026 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
A 900-acre data center campus could be developed in Salix, Iowa, as MidAmerican evaluates a recently annexed site for the project. In a June 8 letter to the Salix City Council, the energy company said the 900-acre parcel, bounded by Old Highway 75, 260th Street, and Charles Avenue, is being assessed as a potential location for a data center.
“MidAmerican’s involvement to date has focused on identifying and securing a site that is well-suited for a large electric customer… MidAmerican’s affiliate, Midwest Capital Group, Inc., has acquired options on the property for the purpose of transferring the property to a future customer that would develop the site.”
MidAmerican said no end-user has been selected and that any future customer would cover the full cost of the required infrastructure and applicable electric rates. Salix officials said on June 10 that the company had not yet filed a rezoning application, though the proposed project has already faced strong local opposition.
“Many residents spoke of their continued concerns,” reads the Salix City Council meeting minutes for June 10. “They have many concerns of a data center coming in, and the negative effects it may have on our city. Many have homes near the annexed land, and do not want industry/commercial developments near their homes.”
Only two people spoke in favor of the annexation, while a petition opposing the project had gathered more than 540 signatures at the time of writing. On June 23, Woodbury County approved a moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas following opposition to the proposal. The measure does not affect MidAmerican's plans for the Salix site.
