MidAmerican / Google data center site (Salix)
Salix annexed about 900 acres of farmland that MidAmerican Energy is studying as a data center site. In August 2026 Google said it is exploring a data center there. Many residents oppose it, and Woodbury County has challenged the annexation in court.
Where things stand: Google is 'exploring' the site; no formal plan. Woodbury County went to court over the annexation.
🕒 Latest update (Aug 20, 2026): Salix City Council voted 3-2 against a one-year data center moratorium; the city also moved to dismiss the annexation lawsuit.
What we know
- 📍 WhereNortheast of Salix, bounded by Old Highway 75, 260th Street and Charles Avenue, Salix, Woodbury County
- 🏢 CompanyMidAmerican Energy (site work)
- 🏛️ Owned byBerkshire Hathaway Energy
- 👤 Built forGoogle (exploring)
- 🌳 Size900 acres
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromMidAmerican Energy
- 💸 Tax breaksGoogle says it will not ask for local property tax breaks.
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Will a court uphold the Salix annexation? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much water and power would a data center here use? 🙋 I'll find out
- Did Salix officials know about the data center plan before they annexed the land? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- April 2026Salix City Council voted to annex about 900 acres of farmland.
- May 4, 2026Annexation papers included a map labeled 'MidAmerican Energy – Salix Site Review'.
- June 10, 2026A MidAmerican representative confirmed its role in a possible data center at a Salix council meeting.
- July 15, 2026Woodbury County supervisors asked the county attorney to seek court review of the annexation.
- Aug 3, 2026MidAmerican said Google is exploring a data center on the site.
- Aug 20, 2026Salix City Council voted 3-2 against a one-year data center moratorium; the city also moved to dismiss the annexation lawsuit.
Local votes and rules
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Salix's council voted 3-2 against a one-year pause on data centers. In July the council had voted 3-2 to support the idea, which led some to think a pause was already in place.
⚖️ Court case
Woodbury County asked a judge to review Salix's 900-acre annexation. The county says the city did not properly notify people and took in some land that does not touch the city. In August, Salix asked the court to dismiss the case.
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Supervisors voted 5-0 to stop accepting or reviewing any data center project in the countryside for 12 months. It does not cover the 900 acres the city of Salix annexed. The county plans public input sessions.
📌 Other
Salix's council voted 5-0 to annex about 900 acres of farmland at the owners' request. The state recorded it on April 23, 2026. MidAmerican Energy holds options on the land, and Google is exploring a data center there. Any project would still need a zoning change.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Google is considering a data center in Salix, IA · WOWT · Aug 3, 2026
- Annexation filing reveals May 4 'Salix Site Review' map tied to MidAmerican Energy · KTIV · June 18, 2026
- Woodbury County officials seeking court review on annexation process in Salix, Iowa · KWIT · July 15, 2026
- Salix moves to dismiss annexation lawsuit as data center moratorium fails · KCRG · Aug 22, 2026
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