Bonner mill axes plan for Krambu data center, citing public opposition

An application to build a data center at the Bonner Mill Industrial Park has been withdrawn after the mill manager pulled his support from the project, officials confirmed to the Missoulian on Monday.

Krambu, an Idaho-based data center company, proposed building an artificial intelligence data center at a vacant building at the industrial park east of Missoula, which had ambitions of reaching 100 megawatts. 

But on Monday, Bonner Mill Industrial Park General Manager Mike Heisey informed Missoula County he removed his signature from the application process.

"After hearing from the public and understanding what the concerns are, I have decided to pull my signature for the Krambu data center," Heisey said in a statement to the Missoulian. "Bonner property will not be moving forward with the data center proposed by them." 

The industrial park had leased a building to Krambu to launch a data center on the campus, which needed a special exemption permit from Missoula County because of its proximity to nearby residences. 

No meeting had been scheduled to approve the data center, which would had to meet county regulations that require new renewable energy sources and the recycling of all electronic waste. 

Hundreds of area residents have shared their concerns online and at public meetings. A petition to halt the data center on Change.org had more than 48,000 signatures as of Monday.

Montanans Against Data Centers Action Team (MADCAT), a coalition of residents opposed to the Krambu data center, said in a statement on Monday that the withdrawal is a major win for the people in Bonner, Missoula and western Montana. 

"Neighbors, local businesses, conservation advocates, energy and water advocates, legal and policy voices and many others came together to ask hard questions, demand accountability and protect the place we call home," the group said.  

The Missoulian reached out to Krambu's president and chief operating officer, Travis Jank, for comment but had not heard back. 

Steve Wood, the CEO of Krambu, is no longer listed on the company's website. He told members of the public in March that he sought to build "an AI factory" in Bonner.

The company initially sought a 7-megawatt facility, but had long-term goals of reaching 100 megawatts, the Missoulian reported. The operation was not expected to have on-site staffing.  

Jennie Dixon, a planner for Missoula County, confirmed that Krambu's application is now withdrawn because of the loss of the industrial park's support. 

Last week, Missoula County announced plans to enact interim zoning that would halt any new data center applications for one year while the county develops additional regulations. 

The Missoula County commissioners will make a decision on the interim zoning on Thursday, July 9, at 2 p.m. 

County officials previously said the Bonner data center application would not be affected by the interim zoning.

MADCAT, the group against data centers, told the Missoulian its group seeks to secure stronger county and state-level regulations against data centers.

"This is a small win in a much larger fight," the group said, "and we look forward to continuing to work together as a community to make sure our natural resources are not for sale." 

Heisey told the Missoulian that he appreciated the public's feedback and will now actively seek a new tenant for the property. A wood products facility that previously used the industrial park shut down in 2025.