Data Center Census

Sedgwick County, KS

West Sedgwick County data center land acquisitions

Also known as Colwich/Andale data center, Garden Plain data center

RumoredNo application on file; county interim development control (moratorium) on data center applications extended through 2026-12-24 while zoning rules are drafted
  1. Rumored
  2. Proposed
  3. Approved
  4. Under construction
  5. Operating

Two companies are trying to buy more than 1,000 acres of farmland in western Sedgwick County for data centers. KMUW reports Monarch Energy is acquiring 300+ acres near Colwich and Andale and NextEra Energy holds options on about 800 acres near Garden Plain. The county has no data center applications on file and has paused applications since January 2026 while it writes zoning rules, most recently extending the pause to December 24, 2026.

Key facts

Size & schedule

Site size300 acres [1]
Monarch Energy, 300+ acres between 215th West and 183rd West off 53rd North (Colwich/Andale area)
Site size800 acres [1]
NextEra Energy, ~800 acres under 3-year option agreements between 311th and 279th West off 21st Street North (Garden Plain area)

Money & incentives

Tax incentivesKansas SB 98 (effective 2025-07-01) provides a 20-year state/local tax exemption for data centers [3]

Local decisions & site

ZoningNo data center zoning applications filed as of March 2026; the Wichita-Sedgwick County unified zoning code did not define or regulate data centers [1]
Source excerpt
“Sedgwick County officials say they don't have details about potential projects. They haven't received any zoning applications for data center developments.”

Figures are as stated by the cited source. Where sources disagree, each figure is shown.

Timeline

  1. County Commission adopts 90-day interim development control on data center applications [3]

  2. Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi asks county for a three-year moratorium [4]

  3. County holds listening town hall on data centers [3]

  4. KMUW reports Monarch Energy and NextEra Energy are pursuing 1,000+ acres in western Sedgwick County [1]

  5. Commission unanimously extends interim control through 2026-09-11 [2]

  6. Commission extends interim control through 2026-12-24 to finalize zoning rules [5]

Issues raised

  • Residents cited non-disclosure agreements, farmland loss, water (Equus Beds aquifer) and power infrastructure strain [1]
  • Sedgwick County Farm Bureau raised concerns about grid, roads, drainage and emergency services [4]

Sources

  1. Two data center companies are trying to buy more than 1,000 acres of Sedgwick County land
    KMUW · Mar 16, 2026 · news
  2. Sedgwick County's data center ban continues as commissioners approve second extension
    KMUW · May 7, 2026 · news
  3. Sedgwick County Schedules Data Center Town Halls
    Sedgwick County · Feb 25, 2026 · government
  4. Kansas lawmaker asks for three year pause on Sedgwick County data centers
    KWCH · Feb 23, 2026 · news
  5. Sedgwick County extends pause on data center applications through Dec. 24
    KWCH · Sep 2, 2026 · news