Zach Lahn, a Republican running for governor, is raising concerns about the construction of data centers and is suggesting new tax zones for the facilities.
Lahn says he would increase property tax rates fivefold on land used for data centers and use the proceeds to lower property taxes for nearby residents.
Lahn described the construction of two data centers near Cedar Rapids as troubling, saying the topsoil has been removed from 1,400 acres of farmland for buildings he said resemble a military installation.
The data centers for Google and QTS are being built in southwest Cedar Rapids. The city of Cedar Rapids has approved property tax rebates for QTS valued at more than $500 million over 20 years.
Lahn says the incentives are unacceptable because the company has pledged to create 30 full-time jobs once the facilities are operating.
