New format combines expert briefings with live, anonymous polling to gather public input for local policymakers
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson and Reno County residents will have a new opportunity to weigh in on the growing conversation around data centers at a community town hall on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Shears Technology Center at Hutchinson Community College, 1300 N. Plum, Hutchinson, Kan.
The event is designed to put the community’s voice at the center of a discussion that organizers say has so far left residents out. Rather than a traditional open-mic town hall, the evening will combine short expert presentations with a live, anonymous polling session that gives every attendee a vote on the issues that matter most to them.
“My hope is that this becomes a real way to put the community’s voice into this discussion, something a lot of us have felt is missing,” said Jason Probst, one of the event’s organizers. “Those of us who live here have as much right as anyone to ask questions, raise concerns, and make our wishes known.”
Event format:
- Stacy Goss, Hutchinson City Council Member, will discuss the city planning and zoning tools needed to protect the community.
- Mike Murphy, Kansas State Senator, will speak on Senate Bill 98, which established state tax incentives for data centers.
- Jason Probst will give a brief overview of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s best practices for communities considering data center development.
- A live polling session will follow, allowing participants to anonymously share their concerns, questions, and values on the topic, with results displayed on screen in real time.
- The evening will close with a discussion of the results and a look at next steps.
Organizers say the structured format is intentional. “I don’t want this to turn into the shouting matches I’ve seen in other communities, so it won’t be an open-mic event,” Probst said. “There will be some discussion, but it’ll be limited for the sake of time and effectiveness.”
An online tool will also be available for residents who cannot attend in person to submit their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. That input, along with the results of the live polling, will be shared directly with local policymakers, including the Hutchinson City Council.
“It’s important we get the public’s voice into this conversation before any lasting decisions are made,” Probst said.
The event is free and open to the public. Organizers encourage residents to attend and to share the event with others in the community.
Event details: What: Community Town Hall on Data Centers in Hutchinson and Reno County When: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Where: Shears Technology Center, Hutchinson Community College, 1300 N. Plum, Hutchinson, Kan. More information: https://www.facebook.com/
