Data Centers &
Emerging Industries
in El Dorado
What It Means for Our Community
This site is intended to provide clear, factual information as El Dorado prepares for potential future opportunities in emerging industries, including data centers.
No specific project is being considered or approved through this effort. Instead, the focus is on making sure the community has the right information, standards, and expectations in place so that any future opportunities can be evaluated thoughtfully and responsibly.
Why this site exists: Created by El Dorado Inc. to help residents understand a complex topic using publicly available information.
The Key Points
Here's what you need to know. Click any topic to explore the details.
Tax Abatements & Fiscal Impact
The Short Version
- El Dorado's property tax abatement policy allows abating of property taxes for up to 10 years. Abatement terms are negotiated based on project scope and go through a community benefits agreement process.
- After abatements end, the facility pays full property taxes — which could grow the tax base and, if budgets remain stable, reduce mill levy rates for everyone. Whether residents actually see lower taxes depends entirely on future budget decisions by local officials — it is not automatic.
- Separately, franchise fees from electricity sales begin immediately — with no abatement period. A 100MW data center could more than triple El Dorado's current ~$1M/year in Evergy franchise fees from day one.
- The tradeoff is real: Near-term reduction in property tax revenue in exchange for a significant long-term taxpayer — plus immediate franchise fee gains. Residents are right to weigh this carefully.
Power, Water & Infrastructure
The Short Version
Electric Bills: No. By Kansas law, data centers pay the full cost of their power usage with no discounted rates. Kansas put new protections in place in November 2025 requiring large users to pay for their own transmission lines and infrastructure. Residents are protected from cost-shifting.
Water: Modern large-scale facilities typically use closed-loop cooling systems that recirculate water. El Dorado has 10 million gallons per day of industrial water capacity available, backed by El Dorado Reservoir. Water sales also create revenue for the city that supports local services and lake maintenance.
Jobs: Data centers create skilled, well-paid permanent positions — typically 30–150 jobs per facility. While fewer than manufacturing, this actually benefits El Dorado by requiring minimal new housing, schools, and infrastructure compared to revenue generated.
Community Concerns & Safety
The Short Version
Noise: Modern acoustic engineering has made data centers far quieter than most people expect. Many residents near Ashburn, Virginia's 100+ facilities report barely noticing them. Independent noise studies and enforceable limits should still be part of any development agreement.
Emissions: Backup generators run only during emergencies and scheduled monthly tests — not continuously. Modern tier-4 engines meet strict EPA standards, and air quality monitoring can be made a binding requirement.
Fire Risk: Modern facilities are built with dedicated suppression systems under rigorous UL 9540A and NFPA 855 standards. Operators coordinate with local fire departments before opening — this is standard practice industry-wide.
Property Values: A 2025 George Mason University study found homes near data centers sell at higher prices. Ashburn, VA — the world's data center capital — is one of the most desirable communities in the country.
What Does a Data Center Actually Look Like?
Before forming an opinion, it helps to see one. Linus Tech Tips toured an Equinix facility — one of the world's largest operators.
Watch the Tour on YouTube ↗Balanced. Transparent. Updated.
Our goal is to present facts clearly and help you understand the tradeoffs.
Balanced
We present both potential benefits and legitimate concerns.
Transparent
We show our assumptions and acknowledge what we don't know.
Updated
We'll add new information as it becomes available.
Have Questions?
Browse our frequently asked questions or learn more about this community information effort.