Cheyenne Chamber Leader: We Need To Look At Expectations For Data Centers

The President and CEO of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce says that while he doesn't support a moratorium on new data centers, he does think a conversation is needed on the expectations for data centers in Wyoming.

Dale Steenbergen made the comments on the ''Weekend In Wyoming" program which aired on Saturday on am 650 KGAB.

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You can hear the interview in the audio file attached to the article [below].

Data Centers Get A Break On Sales Taxes In Wyoming

Currently, data centers in Wyoming are exempt from paying sales taxes for that year on qualifying equipment purchases if they meet certain criteria, including buying or renting $2 million annually in computing equipment. They also must be located in Wyoming and spend at least $5 million in capital infrastructure costs. They must create significant numbers of  jobs and meet other criteria.

You can read more about the Wyoming data center sales tax exemption here.

Asked about the tax exemption, Steenbergen said that while "we don't want to be a high tax place" he went on to say that "all businesses pay taxes, and how do we do that and set that up appropriately?" He went on to say that a conversation us needed about long-term expectations for data centers in Wyoming.

'' I think we need to talk about 'what are our expectations? How do we meet those expectations? I don't know that I would be willing to say taxes yet...but I think we need to look at them and think about...every business has to pay their way."

He also said ''We need to put pressure on public officials to make sure we get this figured out."

But Steenbergen also said that data centers in Wyoming have done more than was requested of them in some cases. That includes a recent $3.5 million dolar donation from Related for affordable housing in Cheyenne.