Montgomery County Commission approves framework for Amazon tax incentives

MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Montgomery County Commission gave unanimous approval Thursday to a framework that lays out property tax incentives for a new Amazon data center.

The tax break package could amount to $1 billion in incentives if the company fully constructs its 17-building data center campus.

The hearing over Chapter 100 bonds was held in a packed Montgomery County courtroom. Scores of people filled seats, leaving the chamber standing room only. Some spoke in support of the project while others were skeptical or opposed.

Amazon plans to use about 1,000 acres north of Interstate 70 between New Florence and High Hill to build a data center for its web services.

Amazon could see a minimum of about $244 million in personal property tax breaks, and a maximum of $982 million through Chapter 100 bonds.

According to previous reporting, Amazon's personal property taxes would break down as follows:

• A $3 million payment each year from 2028-32
• Paying 5% of the personal property taxes on the equipment from 2033-42
• Paying 25% of the personal property taxes on the equipment from 2043-52

This proposal doesn't include tax breaks for real estate. Amazon would also pay $1.5 million in 2026 and 2027 to help the county upgrade its 911 center and any other infrastructure needs the county saw fit to use.

Avery Ridgely is one of many people opposed to the data center. She said her grandparents' farm is near the proposed construction site.

"I do not think that this trade-off of valuable farm ground to industrial sites is worth it in the slightest because 5000 acres is a lot of productive agricultural soils that have maintained this community for generations," Ridgely said, referencing another construction build near her hometown of Jonesburg.

Ridgely and her mom both spoke against the data center during public comment. A lot of people were asking the commissioners and Amazon representatives for more information and transparency.

County Commissioner Doug Lensing said the commission is trying to look at all the facts while also keeping the tech companies' interest.

"It's a dance trying to keep a potential economic opportunity in place while still getting the answers we need for the public," Lensing said.

An Amazon representative said Thursday there are opportunities for the company to open a line of communication with the public.

Montgomery County residents at the Dec. 8 meeting expressed concerns over environmental impacts, including water pollution and usage.

ABC 17 News obtained a letter from the County Commission that Amazon sent, noting that one building is expected to use about 2.9 million gallons of water annually for cooling, and the whole 17-building campus would use about 50 million gallons a year. A letter from engineering firm CDM Smith attached to Amazon's letter said the water source, the Cambria-Orodvician aquifer, recharged water at a great enough rate to handle the project.

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