Bonner Data Center

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Missoula County is reviewing a proposed data center at 9314 Bonner Mill Road. The property is zoned industrial, and the current review is focused on the proposed industrial use's potential impacts on nearby residential properties.

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 cooling system consists of a combination of adiabatic and evaporative cooling towers. The evaporative units would use water supplied from the site's existing fire suppression well rather than the domestic well system serving nearby residences. The applicant has indicated that no backup generators are proposed in the event of power outage.

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.

Click here for a downloadable version of this project page.


Project summary

Current step: Special exception review

Application status: Complete application submitted; special exception in review with hearing scheduled for July 1, 2026

Expected hearing: Wednesday, July 1, at 6 p.m.

  • The consolidated land use board hearing is currently scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in person in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse, 200 W. Broadway, and virtually via Microsoft Teams. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting virtually will be available online prior to the meeting.
  • The project will be subject to review by the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board, not the county commissioners. While the land use board at times only has authority to make recommendations to the commissioners, the board does have final decision-making authority in some cases, including zoning variances, zoning special exceptions and administrative action appeals.


What is being reviewed in this project proposal?

The Special Exception review is focused on whether the proposed industrial use, including its equipment and operations, would be compatible with nearby residential properties and whether potential impacts can be avoided or mitigated.


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

  • 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 - Current

  • The applicant submitted additional materials. County staff continued reviewing the application and identified remaining information needed for completeness.

May 11, 2026: Third Application for Special Exception (deemed complete)

  • The applicant has submitted a complete application. A hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Late May/Early June: Public Notice Period

  • The County will mail notices to property owners within 500 feet, publish a legal notice, and post notices near the property.

July 1, 2026: Land Use Board Hearing

  • The Land Use Board is expected to consider the Special Exception request.

July 2026 or Later: Possible Permit Review

  • If approved, Krambu may then apply for a Zoning Compliance Permit and other required permits.


What topics may be considered in this special exception?

  • Traffic, access, and parking
  • Noise and vibration
  • Outdoor lighting
  • Visual impacts and neighborhood character
  • Utilities and site services
  • Other relevant circumstances related to impacts on adjacent residential properties


How to 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.


Missoula County is reviewing a proposed data center at 9314 Bonner Mill Road. The property is zoned industrial, and the current review is focused on the proposed industrial use's potential impacts on nearby residential properties.

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 cooling system consists of a combination of adiabatic and evaporative cooling towers. The evaporative units would use water supplied from the site's existing fire suppression well rather than the domestic well system serving nearby residences. The applicant has indicated that no backup generators are proposed in the event of power outage.

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.

Click here for a downloadable version of this project page.


Project summary

Current step: Special exception review

Application status: Complete application submitted; special exception in review with hearing scheduled for July 1, 2026

Expected hearing: Wednesday, July 1, at 6 p.m.

  • The consolidated land use board hearing is currently scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in person in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse, 200 W. Broadway, and virtually via Microsoft Teams. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting virtually will be available online prior to the meeting.
  • The project will be subject to review by the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board, not the county commissioners. While the land use board at times only has authority to make recommendations to the commissioners, the board does have final decision-making authority in some cases, including zoning variances, zoning special exceptions and administrative action appeals.


What is being reviewed in this project proposal?

The Special Exception review is focused on whether the proposed industrial use, including its equipment and operations, would be compatible with nearby residential properties and whether potential impacts can be avoided or mitigated.


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

  • 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 - Current

  • The applicant submitted additional materials. County staff continued reviewing the application and identified remaining information needed for completeness.

May 11, 2026: Third Application for Special Exception (deemed complete)

  • The applicant has submitted a complete application. A hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Late May/Early June: Public Notice Period

  • The County will mail notices to property owners within 500 feet, publish a legal notice, and post notices near the property.

July 1, 2026: Land Use Board Hearing

  • The Land Use Board is expected to consider the Special Exception request.

July 2026 or Later: Possible Permit Review

  • If approved, Krambu may then apply for a Zoning Compliance Permit and other required permits.


What topics may be considered in this special exception?

  • Traffic, access, and parking
  • Noise and vibration
  • Outdoor lighting
  • Visual impacts and neighborhood character
  • Utilities and site services
  • Other relevant circumstances related to impacts on adjacent residential properties


How to 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.

  • Missoula County zoning regulations for data centers and cryptocurrency operations throughout the county

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    The site is zoned Industrial Center, Heavy. A data center would be an allowed use on the property. However, Missoula County has additional zoning regulations that apply to data centers and cryptocurrency operations throughout the county. These regulations include:

    • All power for the operation must come from a new renewable energy source (meaning it has not been on the market yet)

    • The operation must recycle all electronic waste

    • Because it is located within 500 feet of a residential area, the proposal must go through a special exception review to ensure impacts to nearby properties are addressed, including traffic, noise, lighting, landscaping, and screening and buffering

    The site is zoned Industrial Center, Heavy. A data center would be an allowed use on the property. However, Missoula County has additional zoning regulations that apply to data centers and cryptocurrency operations throughout the county. These regulations include:

    • All power for the operation must come from a new renewable energy source (meaning it has not been on the market yet)

    • The operation must recycle all electronic waste

    • Because it is located within 500 feet of a residential area, the proposal must go through a special exception review to ensure impacts to nearby properties are addressed, including traffic, noise, lighting, landscaping, and screening and buffering

  • Data Center Zoning Compliance Permit Requirements (in order)

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    1. Land is zoned industrial.
    2. Special Exception Review to evaluate impacts of industrial use impacts on adjacent residential properties (expected Land Use Board hearing date 7/1/26)
      1. Topics to be considered include traffic, access, and parking; pedestrian facilities; impacts on utility services; impacts on new structures and their relationship to adjoining properties; natural resource protections; landscaping; noise, vibration, and outdoor lighting; signage; hours of operation; and, visual impacts and effect on the character of the neighborhood.
      2. The Land Use Board may consider any other relevant circumstances related to the industrial use's impact on the adjacent residential properties.
    3. Submittal of Zoning Compliance Permit application & Building Permit application.
      1. This is when the Planning Dept. will review for compliance with zoning regulations, including provision of 100% renewable energy and recycling and e-waste.
    1. Land is zoned industrial.
    2. Special Exception Review to evaluate impacts of industrial use impacts on adjacent residential properties (expected Land Use Board hearing date 7/1/26)
      1. Topics to be considered include traffic, access, and parking; pedestrian facilities; impacts on utility services; impacts on new structures and their relationship to adjoining properties; natural resource protections; landscaping; noise, vibration, and outdoor lighting; signage; hours of operation; and, visual impacts and effect on the character of the neighborhood.
      2. The Land Use Board may consider any other relevant circumstances related to the industrial use's impact on the adjacent residential properties.
    3. Submittal of Zoning Compliance Permit application & Building Permit application.
      1. This is when the Planning Dept. will review for compliance with zoning regulations, including provision of 100% renewable energy and recycling and e-waste.
Page last updated: 13 May 2026, 09:14 AM