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LightEdge is evaluating at least two Central Iowa locations for a new edge-colocation data center: a 10-acre site in Boone Business Park and a 10.86-acre site on Aviation Way in Ames. Neither proposal has received final approval, and neither has a confirmed construction start date.
The concepts are aimed at local and regional customers—including businesses, banks, hospitals and law-enforcement agencies—rather than a single hyperscale artificial-intelligence campus. The projects would be built in phases, with substantial electricity demand but a closed-loop cooling design proposed for Boone.
Where are the proposed LightEdge facilities?
The Boone concept is in Boone Business Park, northwest of Des Moines. LightEdge and the Boone County Economic Growth Corporation (BCEGC) signed a Letter of Intent covering 10 acres, but the agreement does not guarantee that Boone will be the final location. LightEdge says several Central Iowa sites remain under consideration.
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The Ames concept is on 10.86 acres of city-owned land on Aviation Way, directly west of the Sigler Companies property. Ames is studying a potential lease rather than announcing an approved development.
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How the Boone and Ames proposals compare
| Issue | Boone Business Park | Ames Aviation Way |
|---|---|---|
| Current status | Signed Letter of Intent; due diligence completed; final site selection and city review still ahead | City property under study; City Council policy and Data Center Study Committee process underway |
| Site | 10 acres | 10.86 acres |
| Planned electrical capacity | 3–46 MW in phases, according to LightEdge’s 2026 project materials | 3 MW first phase, 6 MW second phase and 25 MW at ultimate buildout over an estimated 10 years |
| Cooling and water | Closed-loop recirculation; approximately 0 gallons per day of cooling water, according to LightEdge | Final cooling and water design not stated by the city |
| Utility-upgrade cost | LightEdge says the project-specific electric infrastructure would cost existing Alliant Energy ratepayers $0 because the large customer would pay for required upgrades | Utility-service options remain part of Ames’ review |
| Taxes and employment | BCEGC expects property-tax revenue, hundreds of construction jobs and permanent operating positions; LightEdge says it will not seek Boone city tax incentives | Final tax and job figures have not been announced |
What the Boone proposal would involve
Edge colocation rather than a hyperscale campus
LightEdge describes the Boone concept as edge colocation. In practical terms, the facility would rent data-center space and related infrastructure to multiple organizations that need resilient, nearby computing capacity. The company specifically names local and regional businesses, banks, hospitals and law enforcement as potential users. The published materials do not describe a dedicated hyperscale campus for one cloud or AI customer.
Phased power demand
The range in LightEdge’s 2026 materials represents a staged buildout, not an immediate load at opening. Actual electrical demand would depend on the final design, customer commitments and the number of phases approved.
Closed-loop cooling claim
LightEdge says the Boone design would continuously recirculate cooling water and use approximately zero gallons per day for cooling. That is a sponsor-provided design claim; it does not establish the project’s total water use for offices, sanitation or other purposes, and it is not a final engineering or environmental finding.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWho would pay for electric upgrades?
LightEdge says required project-specific electric infrastructure would be paid for by the large energy customer, leaving existing Alliant Energy ratepayers with no project-specific cost. This is the company’s stated financing position, not a final utility commission determination. The ultimate allocation would depend on executed utility agreements and regulatory review.
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Boone taxes and jobs
BCEGC says the development would reuse land that has been industrially developed for more than 20 years. Its announcement anticipates hundreds of construction jobs, a number of permanent operating positions and additional property-tax revenue for the City of Boone, Boone Community School District, Boone County Hospital, Boone County, and Des Moines Area Community College.
BCEGC also says LightEdge will not seek Boone city tax incentives and will work with the city on a minimum building-value assessment. For context, BCEGC reported that LightEdge’s Altoona facilities had a $15.5 million assessed value in 2026 and generated $492,324 in property taxes during the preceding 12 months. That Altoona figure is an existing-facility benchmark, not a forecast for Boone.
What is happening with the Ames proposal?
City-owned Aviation Way site
Ames is considering leasing the Aviation Way parcel to LightEdge. The city’s description places the candidate tract immediately west of the Sigler Companies property and identifies it as 10.86 acres. A lease study does not confer development approval.
Ten-year buildout described by the city
Ames’ published phasing calls for an initial 3-megawatt stage, a 6-megawatt second stage and a 25-megawatt ultimate buildout over roughly a decade. Those are planning figures supplied for the proposal; the city has not announced a final building design or guaranteed that every phase will proceed.
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Policy review and public process
The City Council timeline lists a June 2026 staff report and listening session, July discussions about zoning, noise and utility-service choices, August approval of a Data Center Study Committee plan, and appointment of committee members in September. Ames says the review is also examining effects on utilities, the environment and quality of life.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is either project approved?
No. Boone has a signed Letter of Intent and completed initial due diligence, but LightEdge still has to select a final site, submit a formal site plan and undergo city review. The Boone project page did not list a scheduled City Council hearing.
Ames remains in a municipal study and policy-review process. The city has not published final approval, a construction schedule or a binding lease for the data center.
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What remains unknown
Official materials reviewed for both proposals do not establish a final selected site, construction start date, final building size, completed noise-study results, exact permanent-job count or final city approval. Those details should be treated as undecided until the relevant city and utility documents are issued.
How large is LightEdge’s existing Des Moines-area footprint?
LightEdge’s current Des Moines-area page lists two Altoona facilities at 1435 and 1401 Northridge Circle. Together, the page lists 6.1 MW of critical IT capacity and 78,000 total square feet. The Altoona facilities demonstrate an existing regional operating presence, but their specifications do not determine the design of a future Boone or Ames site.
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