Wildwood Ranch data center site (west Joplin)
Also called: Wildwood Ranch Industrial Complex
The owner of Wildwood Ranch asked Joplin to annex and rezone about 600 acres in west Joplin for a data center. The council approved both in early 2026 after packed meetings. No tech company or builder has been named, and no building permit has been filed.
Where things stand: Council annexed and rezoned the land for heavy industry in Feb. 2026. No builder or building permit yet; a power study was underway.
🕒 Latest update (March 10, 2026): Resident petitions to force a public vote fell short: 2,832 signatures, with 5,032 needed.
What we know
- 📍 WhereSouthwest corner of Central City Road and West 20th Street, west Joplin, Joplin, Jasper County
- 🏢 CompanyWildwood Ranch LLC
- 🌳 Size600 acres
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromLiberty (Empire District Electric) said it has enough capacity; developer would pay for hookups.
- 💧 WaterMissouri American Water (said it has enough capacity)
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Which company will build and run the data center? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much power will it use? Reports range from 100 to 200 megawatts. 🙋 I'll find out
- How much water will it use per day? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will the city give tax breaks? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Dec 4, 2025Landowner company asked the city to annex and rezone about 600 acres from homes to heavy industry.
- Jan 20, 2026After seven hours of public comment, council gave first approval: annexation 6-3, rezoning 7-2.
- Feb 17, 2026Council gave final approval to the annexation and rezoning.
- March 10, 2026Resident petitions to force a public vote fell short: 2,832 signatures, with 5,032 needed.
Local votes and rules
🗺️ Zoning change
After a 7-hour hearing in January (annexation 6-3, rezoning 7-2), the council gave final approval to annex and rezone about 600 acres at Wildwood Ranch from homes to heavy industry for a possible data center. Resident petitions to force a public vote fell short in March.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Joplin approves annexation and rezoning for potential data center · KSMU · Jan 21, 2026
- Joplin group plans to fight data center using referendum, petition process · Joplin Globe (via Yahoo News) · Jan 2026
- Wildwood Ranch Industrial Complex · City of Joplin · March 6, 2026
- Petitions to stop Joplin data center project fall short of goal · Joplin Globe · March 10, 2026
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