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
I appreciate that County staff have continued to require additional information before determining the application is complete. Given the unique characteristics of modern AI data centers, a complete application should include sufficient technical information to allow both the public and MCCLUB to fully evaluate whether the applicant has met every required Special Exception criterion.
The zoning regulations clearly state that the burden of demonstrating compliance rests with the applicant. It should not fall to County staff, MCCLUB, or members of the public to fill gaps in the record or make assumptions regarding potential impacts.
I encourage MCCLUB to require objective, project-specific evidence demonstrating compatibility with surrounding properties and addressing all applicable review criteria, including:
• Long-term electrical demand and future expansion plans.
• Water use under all anticipated operating conditions.
• Backup power generation, fuel storage, emissions, and testing schedules.
• Continuous operational noise, including low-frequency noise, and proposed mitigation.
• Heat generation and any potential impacts on surrounding properties.
• Cumulative impacts associated with future expansion beyond the initial 7 MW phase.
• Demonstration that the proposed use is compatible with the surrounding area and will not substantially injure adjoining property values.
Because this is the first proposal of its kind in Missoula County, I believe the application should establish a high standard of technical completeness before any public hearing is scheduled.
Wild, I see that bots have been sic'd on this forum meant for the public to leave feedback in attempt to badger and silence actual voices with the spam. That's just hurting their case in the long run. Should outright ban this data center. Despite what Mike says there is no right way to do it, and it absolutely does not belong in our community. Absolutely absurd. Of all the things that could be built it's never a question of "what can we do to improve bonner milltown" it's "how can I make the most money, damn the consequences and people that live here" that's how it's starting to feel with all these people building things we do not need nor want.
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Vote no on the proposed Data Center in Bonner!! It is absolutely outrageous to put a data center on the Blackfoot River and nearly at the confluence of the two most treasured rivers in the state of Montana. The environmental impacts are irreversible. I grew up on the banks of the Blackfoot and I don’t want to see my home be destroyed by a data center. The Blackfoot is more precious than gold, and it’s not worth risking that for something so worthless. They already spent so much time restoring this area from the dam and mill impacts, I would hate to see that be reversed.
The data center in Bonner would do irreparable damage to our already struggling waterways. Do the job you've been chosen to do, protect the people. Every day there is another research paper published on. The unsustainability, the harm to wildlife, the absolute destruction of fresh water, and the damaging effects on humans. Did MT not learn anything from the Anaconda superfund? The generations of health problems...Here comes a Bonner superfund with your names written in the blood of residents.
The proposed site is across the street from the *only* school in Bonner. Families with children ranging in ages 4-14 have no other public school option in the district. This means that if the center is built, over 300+ students and their families will be forced (not choosing, but forced) to be in extremely close proximity to this massive facility that has known negative effects. This is outrageous to even consider doing in this location. Please consider that there is no way to protect anyone, including hundreds of children, from this monstrosity unless it is rejected. Thank you.
Removed by moderator.
Vote no on the purposed data center in Bonner MT.
It seems obvious that there has been no consideration for the negative effects that data centers bring to any community. There should be strong regulations on data centers regarding how close they can be to residential areas, and how to prevent them from damaging the environment.
How is this going to effect the school in Bonner right across the street? What will this do the to Blackfoot river?
What oversight will there be so that the river isn't contaminated? Who will make sure the noise pollution doesn't effect the surrounding community? What are the purposed long term benefits to Montana residents?
This is the dumbest idea. MT has a water shortage every year. Fire seasons only get worse, but you’re proposing a data center in Bonner- using fire suppression water? Really? NO! Stand up for the people of Missoula- and not big tech companies wanting to exploit our state, country and water
In its fifth Special Exception Application to Missoula County, Krambu states that it intends to comply with the renewable energy sourcing requirement. It states that the way it intends to comply is a topic of ongoing discussion. The only way Krambu can fully comply with the County resolution and its intent is to supply to the regional grid the same number of MWh of renewable energy that it extracts for its data center operation. That is, if 7 MW is utilized for a year, then Krambu must annually replace 61,320 MWh of renewable energy (wind, solar, or geothermal) to the regional grid.
The Data centers that will lead to America's Doom. Here's Why.
https://youtu.be/wv3r6lDWQ8w?si=dJ1KGaz-z6FDyQht
Erin Brockovich is taking on a New Issue: AI Data Centers.
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BI investigated the footprint of 1k+ #datacenters to see real-life consequences of #ai. #tech
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Please vote No AI
Data Centers
What is are
Cost to our
Missoula to our Montana?
https://youtu.be/dWNNgltZSlA?si=ZACLQ2HL0AH5VXha
I am vehemently opposed to an AI data center in Bonner. It’s an egregious use of resources for a useless and unnecessary purpose . It will result in less quality of life for the residents with the increased noise and a resultant decrease in their property values. It is a strain on water supply and doesnt belong in Montana which is known for its natural habitat and the recreation that brigs to its residents and tourists . Prices of energy will rise for local residents beyond Bonner. Already NW energy prices for electricity are increasing as of July1 st. Subsidies for solar are gone under this present administration. NO, NO, NO !
At what Cost?
For temporary out workers?
Are water ?
Are Air?
Are wild life?
Are taxes?
Are electricity?
Are health?
And when they want to expand then what?
At what cost is MONTANA To You?
Please save are Missoula.
Say No to AI Data Centers!
https://youtu.be/t-8TDOFqkQA?si=p1jryP-XFUr0VVeQ
At what Cost?
Are water ?
Are Air?
Are wild life?
Are taxes?
Are electricity?
Are health?
And when they want to expand?
At what cost is MONTANA To You?
https://youtu.be/t-8TDOFqkQA?si=p1jryP-XFUr0VVeQ
Thank you to Jennie Dixon, Svein Newman, and all the Missoula County staff who contributed to the excellent analysis of Krambu's proposal and it's severe insufficiencies. I urge the Missoula County Commissioners to institute county-wide interim zoning that declares an emergency and prohibits data centers anywhere in the County, and only lifts that zoning if all necessary regulations are put into place. I appreciate the efforts of the County to ensure that our communities and environment are protected. Thanks. Neva Hassanein