Bonner Data Center
Update: Missoula County received the following message from Mike Heisey, who owns the building the proposed data center would be in:
"After hearing from the public and understanding what the concerns are, I have decided to withdraw my signature from the Krambu special exception application. Bonner Property will not be moving forward with the data center proposed by them. We appreciate the public's feedback and will continue to actively pursue clients for the mill site. Thank you. Mike Heisey"
This development means the project will not move forward.
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.
Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.
Update: Missoula County received the following message from Mike Heisey, who owns the building the proposed data center would be in:
"After hearing from the public and understanding what the concerns are, I have decided to withdraw my signature from the Krambu special exception application. Bonner Property will not be moving forward with the data center proposed by them. We appreciate the public's feedback and will continue to actively pursue clients for the mill site. Thank you. Mike Heisey"
This development means the project will not move forward.
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Phone 406-258-4946 -
Climate Action Program Manager
Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability
Phone (406) 258-3442
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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
This data center has absolutely no worthwhile benefits for anybody in Bonner, Missoula, or Montana, and has the potential to cause countless consequences for our community. I have not spoken to a single person who wants this data center. The ecological impacts have the potential to be disastrous. There is absolutely no reason to touch our vital water sources for a project like this. The profits of the few have infinitesimal value in comparison to the well-being of our communities and to protecting our natural water sources and ecosystems. The people of Montana do not want this data center. Do not approve a project that will harm this and future generations for the sake of momentary profits. It would be a horrible disgrace, and a stain on our state.
Fire and drought are the two greatest threats to person and property in Montana right now. A data center capable of raising the ambient temperatures of the surrounding area by 10-20 degrees is a severe threat to the community, and a reckless project in a climate like ours already highly vulnerable to even minor increases in heat.
NO. This data center is a horrible idea. It will not provide sustainable jobs, it will pollute and waste our energy resources, it does not benefit the citizens of Bonner and Missoula county in any sustainable manner. Absolutely NO.
I don't believe anyone is falling for the notion that these data centers have value for the people who live near them. All the money going into the pockets of cities that allow these is provided by those who sell chips, those who sell AI promises, those want to CUT jobs, and those who want to mine bitcoin. None of these are useful for the inhabitants of the city.
The inhabitants of this city are unplugging unused devices to save power and being told to keep the thermostat under 65 in the winter. It's a slap in the face to think they can just build a data center like this because "it's industrially zoned". For Missoula it is a useless and dangerous waste. It's a prime example of how little an individual's efforts matter when measured against the massive waste that big moneyed interests cause on a daily basis.
And they will say that they won't pollute the river, and that they have ecologically sound methods. But the fact is that the government of Montana cares more about making money than anything else, just like congress, the supreme court and the president. So when these people DO pollute the river and we try to stop them, they'll find sympathetic voices all the way to the top. Nobody will stop them. If they say they're not going to pollute, but they can do it with impunity, they will.
I am 100% expecting this to get built, force water restrictions, pollute the river, raise energy prices and take the jobs of people in missoula and elsewhere.
No, No and NoX100!
I've been a home owner along the Blackfoot River for 21 years. I am against a permit for a data center in Bonner. We do not have water or electricity to spare for such a project. Our pristine wilderness is our asset and needs to be kept wild without impact. Back when there was a Bitcoin mining operation at the Bonner Mill site the electrical currents impacted residents and local wildlife. We already know big industry doesn't fit into our river ecosystem. We are on the historic Lewis and Clark Trail, what would they say about this proposed data center? Any county commissioner who supports this will lose all support from the public. The answer is simple, no, no and again no!
I apposed to the proposed Bonner data center because of the potential impacts it could have on our community, natural resources, and quality of life. Residents have already raised serious concerns about increased power demand, water consumption, constant industrial noise, and the long-term strain this project could place on the Bonner and Missoula area. The facility is expected to operate around the clock while providing very few permanent local jobs, raising questions about whether the benefits truly outweigh the costs. Many community members also feel frustrated by the lack of clear answers from developers regarding future expansion, infrastructure needs, and environmental impacts near the Blackfoot River corridor. Bonner is a unique community valued for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and small-town character, and I believe projects of this scale should be approached with far more transparency, caution, and public input before moving forward.
Absolutely not. This data center will not be tolerated.
The AI data center is not going to create enough jobs in Missoula to make up for water usage and pollution. The building will be standalone, requiring little human element to keep it running. Another business that will actually give Montanans jobs could move into the Bonner space if it is not occupied by the data center. Think of our amazing natural resources that make Missoula the place we are proud to live and protect them. Much more harm than good will come from a data center being built in our county.
I and all other Missoula County residents I have spoken with oppose data centers in our county.
In assessing the impact of data centers on neighboring homes, I would direct the Board to two resources. First, while the development of AI-specific data centers is relatively new, the development of Bitcoin mining centers and other data centers are not. Numerous lawsuits have dealt with the noise pollution and health impacts stemming from the 24/7 operation of high-powered computers. Notably, those lawsuits are sometimes filed against the government entity that approved the center, draining taxpayer resources. See:
Paulus v. Citicorp N. Am., Inc., No. 2:12-CV-856, 2014 WL 4557603, at *3 (S.D. Ohio Sept. 12, 2014) (noise complaints based on constant ambient noise of 36dBA and peak noise levels ranging from 47 dBA to 61 dBA)
Oak Valley Homeowners Ass'n, Inc. v. Prince William Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors, 85 Va. App. 382, 391, 917 S.E.2d 562, 566 (2025) (landowners challenging Board approval of data center that would increase noise levels to over 75 decibels)
North Tonawanda (New York) lawsuit against DigiX https://www.niagaraaction.com/north-tonawanda-crypto-mining-facility-moves-to-dismiss-court-action-over-noise-violations/ (data center cited multiple times for nighttime noise over 50 decibels, plaintiffs allege $250 fine per citation is not enough).
Dobler Engineering's Supplemental Information, provided May 5, 2026, suggest sound level emissions from a similar facility in WA emit 75.6 decibels within 2 feet, 69.9 decibels at 35 feet, and 64 decibels at 70 feet. They then estimate the sound levels at the property line (467 feet away from the noise generating equipment) will be 45 decibels. I have concerns regarding the accuracy of these estimates when applied to the Bonner site. I have further concerns that noise levels as low as 50 dba at night have been the subject of prior litigation.
Second, studies suggest the noise levels emitted from data centers harm neighbors' health: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/communities-are-raising-noise-pollution-concernsabout-data-centers.
Wealth and power is fueling a massive expansion in energy and water demand.
The water demands of data centers are immense, threatening the local water supplies that are vital for both community needs a basic necessitie. Even when they say that they have a way to save water, the trade off then becomes using more electricity.
These centers contribute to the formation of "heat domes," which can drastically alter the local climate, making the areas inhospitable driving away wildlife.
And the false promise of these data centers jobs. Developers say this because they know that it is attractive to policymakers; they come asking the state to give them benefits in the form of tax breaks, reduced regulations, or special zoning permissions in exchange for job creation. Construction may last a year.
Staff for these centers are very low. It's will be a warehouse of servers.
And the taxs breaks they will be given is a plus for them only.
The construction of data centers on these lands is not just a threat to the environment; it’s a disruption to a delicate ecosystem. Data centers require significant amounts of electricity, putting an undue strain on our power supply and leading to increased rates for local.
We need to prevent further environmental damage.
The only winners of these data centers are the ones
Who want to put them all across America.
I among many oppose this data center.
Montanans do NOT want this! It would be the downfall of our beautiful town. Nothing good comes from this!!!
Data centers are nothing but harmful for everyone and everything involved!! No one wants higher electric bills, no one wants damage to these ecosystems, no one wants data centers using up our resources. It will only harm our beautiful state. Think of the people and the planet, not billionaires who want to exploit us!
AI data centers sound exciting until you realize what they actually bring to a place like Missoula: massive water use, huge power demand, noise, light pollution, and strain on local infrastructure — all so big tech companies can profit while locals deal with higher utility pressure and environmental impacts. Missoula’s appeal is clean rivers, open land, wildlife, and quality of life, not industrial-scale server warehouses consuming enormous amounts of energy 24/7. Once developments like this move in, they rarely stay small.
As someone who was born and raised here, this would ruin our town. The beautiful river that runs through our town will soon dry up if we allow things like this. The wildlife will suffer as well.
This data center will not benefit our community. It creates little to no jobs and will take up resources that could potentially eliminate the things we love most about Montana. There was just one in GA caught stealing 29MILLION gallons of water…locals water pressure affected and not to mention energy prices went up. Montana has already been affected with the housing market the way it is. This is not good for us and I hope you listen to these voices in the comments. WE DO NOT WANT THIS.
I’m amazed at how Montana is late to the party on everything, sees the detriment things like data centers are doing to other locations/states, and then STILL are proposing to join the madness despite all the negatives. There are far too many cons to make this even considerable. Many wonderfully educated public commenters on here bring up great points that NEED to be read.
Montanans do NOT support this. We do not need temporary jobs that impact the ecosystem so poorly and extremely, in one of the final remaining places where we don’t submit to corporate corruption at the expense of the environment, our earth, our HOME. This is a waste of resources (energy, water) and going to impact our state in the long run, and not for the better. DO NOT allow a data center. Montanans do NOT want it. Montanans do NOT need it. And our earth deserves someone caring about it when no one else will. 100% oppose!!!!!
This data center will use freshwater resources which are already low, raise the cost of electricity bills for locals, and contribute to a growing oppressive technological advancement. We as local Missoulians and folks in Bonner need to oppose this at all costs.
Let's use this energy, money, and water for a green energy transition instead.
It would be devastating to our Montana ecosystem to allow a data center in Montana. There may be construction jobs initially but after that they require very little maintenance and use extraordinary amounts of water and energy to power the facility. This will damage our power grid and increase utilities. Also the damage to the Blackfoot River could be profound and is definitely not worth it. They also admit a noise that would affect the community and surrounding wildlife. I am absolutely against data centers in Montana.
This project is proposed by Idaho company Krambu that wants to build an AI data center at the old Bonner Mill Industrial Park, 9314 Bonner Mill Rd. It would start at 29 MW and could grow to 100 MW over 2-3 years. That’s enough power for 20,000-100,000 homes.
Pros for Bonner/Missoula County
1. Jobs + wages
- Construction phase brings significant employment
- Permanent jobs pay above average for Montana. A couple hundred good jobs “can’t be ignored” although I seriously doubt that many jobs will be created.
- Krambu says they’re building “next innovation” systems which is great just build it in Idaho instead.
2. Tax revenue
- Data centers are “giant structures full of electronics” with high value
- Can generate revenue without huge demands on schools/roads
- NorthWestern Energy says data centers help diversify and grow Montana’s economy which it may however what is the negative to Big Sky Country
3. Infrastructure upgrades
- Krambu plans heat capture in closed-loop system for aquaponics/greenhouses
- Hundreds of miles of fiber conduit would improve telecom for schools, healthcare. CFO: benefits “whole community”
- Uses existing industrial site — 900 acres of former mill land
4. Lower cost to operate here
- BBER economist: “probably a little less costly to operate here, and maybe somewhat less resistant”
- Meta already pulls power from Pryor Mountain Wind for out-of-state facilities
Cons for Bonner/Missoula County
1. Power + your electric bill
- NorthWestern plans to supply 400-1000+ MW to MT data centers — >50% increase in demand
- Environmental groups: “costs will be borne by everyday ratepayers”
- Oregon example: data center growth = 50% higher electric bills in 5 years
- PSC President: need special rate so they “pay their fair share” and don’t “bleed back on customers”
2. Water concerns
- Typical data center uses 300,000 gallons/day. MEIC: one center can use 5 million gal/day
- Krambu says 500 gallons per MW = 50,000 gal/day at full 100 MW. They claim same as old saw mill
- Locals worry: “Montana is in a drought, expected to get worse”. Common sense says: “fire season is going to need all the water we can get”
- MEIC: concern about discharging hot/chemically harmful water into rivers or groundwater that farmers use
3. Few permanent jobs
- Krambu told county it will NOT require regular staffing once built
- Table: “Jobs may be fewer than expected”
- Most jobs are construction, not long-term
4. Noise, traffic, environment
- 2017 HyperBlock crypto mine at same site: residents complained of constant hum disrupting sleep
- Project is 500 ft from residential + near elementary school, church
- Must go through “special exception review” for traffic, noise, lighting
- Data centers prone to fires — Ohio: 84 fire calls in 1 year
5. Tax breaks
- Data centers get 0.9% property tax rate — lowest in MT
- HB 424 extends that to power plants for data centers
- MEIC: unlikely to cover true costs to community. Won’t provide much jobs long-term.
Bonner-specific issues
1. Community pushback: 140+ public comments, nearly all are opposed. “NO! We do not want this!”
2. Zoning: Falls under crypto mining rules from 2019. Must use new renewable energy + recycle e-waste
3. Lack of trust: Public meeting had “many questions going unanswered”. Worry it won’t stay within energy limits
4. Water source not disclosed for other MT projects. Risk to Canyon Ferry drinking water.
The bottom line is:
If protections work: A few good jobs, tax money, fiber upgrades, using old mill site. Krambu’s heat-capture plan is innovative but notice it is not planned in Idaho but in Montana.
If protections fail: Higher power bills, strain on Blackfoot River/aquifer during drought, noise by the school, 100 MW of power for a building with no staff, and locals subsidizing of Big Tech.
Montana PSC is meeting on this with a public hearing was July 1.
Majestic and beautifully made communities still deserve clean water and fair power bills. Vote No data centers in Montana.
Unacceptable. People dream of coming to Montana for its wilderness and beauty. We, famously, have rejected pointless and crippling things that modernize just for the sake of ease. Missoulians work hard to maintain a way of life that honors the natural world and our independence from a world that rewards assimilation at the cost of integrity.
Our state is famous for not tolerating cowards! A data center is a disgusting bid to ingratiate ourselves area to developers and people who seek to carve us up for profit.
I vehemently oppose the approval of a data center anywhere in MT. I have been a resident of this beautiful state for over 20 years, and I shudder to think of our lands being used to support billionaire agendas and feed off of the backs of hardworking people. This data center would ruin everything that we stand for as conservationists and stewards of the land. Clean water is essential for HUMAN life, not a computer. I urge the council to see that their decision affects Missoula, and goes as far as affecting our entire country. Do not allow this data center to be built.