QTS hyperscale data center campus (Clinton)
QTS wants to build a data center campus on about 1,100 acres near Clinton's airport, with 2 to 10 buildings and up to $10 billion in investment. Many residents oppose it. The city voted not to pause data centers and is writing rules first.
Where things stand: No formal application yet. City is writing a data center ordinance (setbacks still debated in September 2026).
🕒 Latest update (Sept 1, 2026): City Council committee met for five hours on the ordinance; QTS gave input.
What we know
- 📍 WhereNorth of U.S. Highway 30 and west of Mill Creek Parkway, near Clinton Municipal Airport and Valley Oaks Golf Course, Clinton, Clinton County
- 🏢 CompanyQTS Data Centers
- 🌳 Size1,100 acres
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromNew 345,000-volt power line planned to the site
- 🗼 New power linesYes
- ❄️ CoolingQTS says low-water cooling
- 💵 Cost$10 billion
- 💸 Tax breaksQTS says it is not asking for tax breaks.
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- How much power and water would the full campus use? 🙋 I'll find out
- What setback from homes will the final ordinance require? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- May 26, 2026Residents spoke against the data center at a City Council meeting.
- June 9, 2026City Council voted 5-2 against a temporary pause (moratorium) on data centers.
- July 15, 2026Planning Commission heard the draft data center ordinance and tabled it.
- Sept 1, 2026City Council committee met for five hours on the ordinance; QTS gave input.
Local votes and rules
📜 Data center rules
Clinton is writing its first data center rules, covering water and power use, noise, lighting, setbacks and cleanup when a site closes. The plan commission suggested 1,500-foot setbacks; council members are still weighing distances. A public hearing and three readings are still to come.
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Clinton's council voted 5-2 against a temporary pause on data centers that would have held up the proposed QTS campus while rules were written.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- City council turns down temporary halt on AI data centers in Clinton · KCRG · June 9, 2026
- Clinton QTS hyperscale data center · Iowa Public Radio · July 16, 2026
- QTS officials offer input on Clinton data center plans · WVIK · Sept 3, 2026
- Clinton, IA Could Be Home to the Largest Data Center in Iowa · KOEL
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