Bonner Data Center 'will not move forward' after property owner removes approval

BONNER, Mont. – The owner of the property proposed for the controversial Bonner Data Center withdrew his signature from the project, putting a stop to progress on the data center development.

Mike Heisey, the general manager of Bonner Mill Industrial Park who removed his signature from the project, cited public feedback in his decision in a statement shared by the county.

“After hearing from the public and understanding what the concerns are, I have decided to withdraw my signature from the Krambu special exception application. Bonner Property will not be moving forward with the data center proposed by them. We appreciate the public's feedback and will continue to actively pursue clients for the mill site. Thank you. Mike Heisey," his statement shared by the county read.

Missoula County followed Heisey’s comment with a note: “This development means the project will not move forward.”

Idaho-based company Krambu submitted a proposal in March to build the data center in Bonner, just east of Missoula. The proposal was immediately subject to fierce pushback online, followed by widespread community opposition.

The proposal did not fare well with community members in public meetings and Missoula County Commissioners were expected to consider an interim zoning to pause data center projects during their July 9 meeting.