Bonner Data Center
Update 6/12/2026:
Missoula County planning staff have reviewed another application from Krambu and deemed it insufficient. The latest application and letter from the County are available under the Documents tab to the right. Krambu will need to submit a complete application before a hearing with the Missoula Consolidated Land Use Board can be scheduled.
The Bonner Data Center project developer is continuing to finalize materials for presentation to the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB). At this time, the public hearing schedule is to be determined, pending receipt of a complete application.
You can sign up to follow this project at the right-hand side on this page. When the new date is determined for the MCCLUB public hearing, project followers and commenters will receive an email.
This project will be reviewed by the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB). This land use board holds their public hearing meetings on the first Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Sophie Moiese room of the Missoula County Courthouse. There may occasionally be a second meeting in the month, which will usually be the third Wednesday. There will be prior notice. These meetings are always open to the public.
The meeting agenda and related documents will be published on the Consolidated Land Use Board page
Project Overview
Missoula County is reviewing a proposed data center at 9314 Bonner Miller Road as a Special Exception described in Section 11.6.D. of the Missoula County Zoning Regulations. The property is zoned for heavy industrial use.
The proposal involves reusing a portion of the former mill building — commonly referred to as the planer building — for a high-performance computing (HPC) data center. This means most of the development would occur inside the existing structure, with no major expansion of the building footprint. Interior improvements would include constructing specialized rooms to house computer servers and supporting equipment.
The proposed data center would operate continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days per week, with minimal on-site staffing and relatively limited vehicle traffic associated primarily with maintenance and service visits.
The initial phase of the facility is expected to use approximately 7 megawatts (MW) of electrical power, with the potential to expand over time to utilize up to 29 MW, which is the estimated capacity currently available at the site.
Project summary
Current step: Missoula County has requested more information
Application status: Fifth application submitted; Missoula County has requested more information.
Expected hearing: Postponed until further notice
- This project will be reviewed by the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB). This land use board holds their public hearing meetings on the first Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Sophie Moiese room of the Missoula County Courthouse. There may occasionally be a second meeting in the month, which will usually be the third Wednesday. There will be prior notice. These meetings are always open to the public.
What is being reviewed in this project proposal?
The Special Exception review is required when the use, because of location, scale, required infrastructure or other potential impacts, requires a special degree of consideration and control to ensure such uses are consistent and compatible with the overall community character and whether potential impacts can be avoided or mitigated.
This page has been updated to reflect revised staff analysis of the scope of review. The Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB) must not approve a special exception unless and until they find the project application demonstrates all of the following:
The proposed use or development will be compatible with and will not substantially injure the value of adjoining property.
The proposed use preserves the character of the district, and the property is suitable for the proposed use (e.g. can meet the bulk and dimensional standards without requiring a variance).
The proposed use promotes the purpose and intent of the TIF Special District, where appropriate.
Substitute or additional design standards will preserve and protect the area’s architectural and aesthetic qualities.
In reviewing a Special Exception application MCCLUB shall give due consideration to the following:
a) Access, traffic, parking demand, non-motorized transportation and onsite vehicle circulation
b) Dedication and development of streets, rights of way, and public use areas, such as adjoining sidewalks
c) Impacts on or of public and private utilities or services
d) Proposed siting of any new structures necessary to accommodate the use and their relationship to adjoining and surrounding properties
e) Recreation opportunities and open lands available to serve the use
f) Natural resource protections
g) Landscaping and screening requirements
h) Signage and street lighting
i) Noise, vibration, outdoor lighting and other on and offsite impacts from the use
j) Frequency of use and hours of operation
k) Area of land necessary and adequacy of the site to accommodate the use and meet the intent of the district and character of the neighborhood
l) How the proposed use addresses the purpose of the TIF Special District intended to attract, retain, grow and develop secondary value-adding industries
m) Any other unique or relevant circumstances related to the property.
The burden to demonstrate compliance with these criteria falls to the applicant, not the County or MCCLUB.
Reasonable and appropriate conditions may be required to ensure that any potentially injurious effect of the Special Exception on adjoining properties, the character of the neighborhood, the purpose and intent of the TIF Special District, or the health, safety and general welfare of the community will be minimized. Conditions much be based on the criteria for review.
Zoning compliance permit
If a special exception is approved, the developers must apply for a zoning compliance permit. The permit application must demonstrate compliance with the County's data center zoning regulations, including requirements for new renewable energy and e-waste recycling. Zoning compliance permits are subject to administrative review and do not go through public hearing process.
Project review timeline
March 2026: Initial Contact
- Krambu and Missoula County Planning first discussed the proposed data center project.
March 25, 2026: First Special Exception Application - deemed incomplete
- The applicant submitted the first Special Exception application. County staff determined that more information was needed before public review could begin.
April 28, 2026: Second Special Exception Application - deemed incomplete
- The applicant submitted additional materials. County staff continued reviewing the application and identified remaining information needed for completeness.
May 11, 2026: Third Special Exception Application - deemed incomplete
- The applicant submitted a special exception application. Applicant has notified the county that a new application packet will be made available.
June 1, 2026: Fifth Special Exception Application - deemed incomplete
- The applicant submitted a special exception application. County staff determined that more information was needed before public review could begin.
Date to be determined based on application completeness: Public Notice Period
- The County will mail notices to property owners within 500 feet, publish a legal notice, and post notices near the property.
Date to be determined based on application completeness: Consolidated Land Use Board Hearing
- The Consolidated Land Use Board is expected to consider the Special Exception request.
Date to be determined based on application completeness: Possible Permit Review
- If approved, Krambu may then apply for a Zoning Compliance Permit and other required permits.
How can I participate?
Community members are encouraged to stay informed and provide public comment. Comments are most helpful when they address the topics the Land Use Board may consider during Special Exception review, especially potential impacts to nearby residential properties.
Follow this project page if you want be emailed when there are updates with this project.
Who's Listening
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Phone 406-258-4946 -
Climate Action Program Manager
Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability
Phone (406) 258-3442
Documents
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June 1 - Fifth Special Exception Application - deemed incomplete
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May 11 – Third Special Exception Application – deemed incomplete
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complete_special-exception-application 032526 (1).pdf (9.04 MB) (pdf)
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Supplemental Narrative 5-26.pdf (27.3 KB) (pdf)
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Supplemental Information-4-27-26.pdf (10.5 MB) (pdf)
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Supplemental information 5_26.pdf (1.14 MB) (pdf)
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Bonner Site Plan COMPLETE.pdf (411 KB) (pdf)
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heat study site plan_Washinton example.pdf (553 KB) (pdf)
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April 28 – Second Special Exception Application – deemed incomplete
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March 25 – First Special Exception Application - deemed incomplete
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Correspondence
Absolutely not. No other community is seeing any positive benefits from these data centers. Our natural resources and environment are too precious to gamble on a corporation doing the right thing. Please deny this project!
I have a lot of concerns about this project and the impacts on the residents and environment. Montana has a long history of environmental damage at the hands of a few wealthy people trying to get wealthier. At a time when regulations and simple data collection is being defunded and undermined, how are working people supposed to trust this development to be a responsible neighbor? I'm hoping the council demands receipts and proceeds with a healthy dose of skepticism.
This would be truly disastrous for the community in so many ways. There is no way this should even be considered.
No, this data center will not benefit our community in any way.
There is a clear trend of exploitative industry in Montana. This Data Center is no exception. Allowing this project to go forward would be in direct contrast to residents desire and public benefit. Please send a clear message that predatory businesses are not welcome in Missoula County.
I am not advocating for this project. It will take more from the community than it provides. That said, I can answer some questions :
1. It should not impact the wastewater system as the water used is closed loop.
2. Further they capture most (90%?) of the heat that is generated for reuse. The idea being heating greenhouses or aquaponics .
From a environmental perspective, considering what these two companies are doing to bring the bitcoining mining/ai data center to Bonner is not terrible.
From a business perspective it will not help Bonner. This includes income generation for local residents.
No! No! No! Other than the few who profit from this, the whole community suffers. The environment suffers. And we all know that regulations and rules don't mean anything to those in power. Those running AI are the new copper kings. We in MT know where that got us the first time. We don't need more AI. We need to keep this planet human-powered, respecting it and one another. No profits over people. No profits over our MT way of life.
I worry that the water use and disposal has not been addressed. How much water will be consumed? How will it strain our wastewater treatment facilities? How will it impact future development plans?
Another factor is noise…noise in a mountain valley. We need an absolute guarantee that the noise this center will make will not negatively impact our community for the years to come. Cumulative stress from constant noise (and light, etc) is a health hazard, impacting sleep and everyday life.
I appreciate that the center would use all renewable energy sources. Does that mean they’d cover all development and future payments associated with the renewable project?
Sadly, in our current system, recycling all e-waste is not reality. How will they guarantee all e-waste actually gets recycled? I do not want the waste just sitting around somewhere. That’s not recycling, that’s disposal.
Thank you for your consideration.
This is a horrible idea. I strongly disapprove of a data center. Do not allow this to be built. There is no benefit.
There is no upside to this project that is worth the costs it will have on the community. Please do not proceed.
This is against our state’s constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. AI bubble is about to burst, and even if it wasn’t, it’s a morally corrupt and useless endeavor. If this project proceeds, it will be against the will of the people who live here.
I'm deeply concerned about the prospect of an AI data center being built within Missoula county for a variety of reasons. This technology is too new to fully understand its impacts. I don't believe that any of the regulations proposed would suffice to reduce or eliminate the risk. The economic benefit to our community seems very minimal. There has been report after report of the negative impacts of data centers that have been hastily constructed throughout the country that are just now coming to light. Any potential benefit for this specific instruction is far outweighed by the known or unknown risks. I'm not a properly law expert but it appears that there is an avenue too legitimately deny the request for a special exception here. I was strongly urge the Consolidated Land Board to deny this proposal.
As a Missoula resident, I am FIRMLY against this project.
I'm worried about noise pollution. I've read that other data centers generate noise that impacts a 2 mile radius.
I am quite concerned about any data center coming into Montana due to their high use of water. The jobs promised are temporary and what will happen when they are no longer needed because technology has advanced to the point of no longer requiring huge quantities of space? We'll be left with rusting out warehouses and used up resources. I fear that our utilities will sky rocket as well. Please do not let this project proceed.
A.I. has not shown enough accuracy and consistent content to warrant building data centers to this degree. The river in out area is still recovering from mining damage and this will just make the pollution worse. Also, using river water to cool facilities means warm water will be put back in, even if they try to cool it down. This will be a huge blow to our aquatic life, which alsonis already at risk. Lastly, how much river access will be shut off in the name of security? I'd rather have recreational access than an A.I. center that does a half-a$$ed job. I doubt it will bring enough jobs or tax revenue to juatify the damage it will cause.
One of the biggest draws to Missoula is the access to nature and wildlife. I think it is risky and stupid to build a AI data center, there is no real way to know if they will maintain the limitations proposed. We have seen from other towns how AI data centers can negatively affect the surrounding environment and water. Montana is a beautiful place and is rich with landscapes, sunrises, and wildlife. Why taint that with a capitalistic venture that will ruin the environment, ruin the allure (and tourism) of Montana, and potentially ruin the city’s electricity, employment, etc.?
The priorities for this community are preserving the beautiful nature we are surrounded with, not with corporate earnings and greed brought about by AI.
The town hall at the church was biased, slimy, and censored. How dare you tell us to sit quietly and listen to a moderator twist our words while business men dodge our concerns with vague responses. We were given no information regarding health impacts of the community as well as false answers regarding resource consumption. Hold another town hall and allow us to speak openly against this disrespectful company and their harmful proposal. We do not support them. We do not support any data centers. How stupid can you be to think this will do anything but harm us in every possible way.
If the data center is equivalent to the power of 8,000 homes just to start that is way too much for Bonner and Missoula to handle. This data center will drive up electricity prices and continue to dry out our surrounding areas so a company can make money with a few AI tools or videos. Water is a basic necessity that we need more than some more AI tools or videos on the internet. No data center anywhere in Montana. We rely too much on our beauty for tourism and the enjoyment of Montanans.