Happy Thursday!
You’re invited to our anniversary party 🎉! It’s been almost a year since we officially launched the Ames Voice, and we want to celebrate it with you. The party will be 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Ames Alliance, so please save the date!
Our top story this week is about Lightedge’s proposal for a data center and all the events leading to the Ames City Council’s latest decision. This is a project that our intern, Lara Jones, worked on throughout the summer. It features perspectives from those who favor and oppose the center as well as input from experts in the field.
Also in this newsletter: the Ames School Board sets its goals for the current school year, and the Alliance says teamwork is essential for economic development. Plus, photos from the Ames Little Cyclones’ victory over the Marshalltown Bobcats.
Community Voices features an Iowa State couple’s newest book, The Nastiest Saloon in Iowa.
Thank you for your continued support,
Amber Mohmand, News Editor
[email protected]
Welcome Our Newest Founding Voice: Ames Ford Lincoln!
We’re thrilled to share more exciting news as we celebrate a major milestone — the Ames Voice has officially surpassed 1,200 subscribers! Our community continues to grow, and with that growth comes new partnerships that strengthen the future of independent, nonprofit journalism in Story County.
Today, we’re proud to welcome Ames Ford Lincoln as the newest member of our Founding Voices program.
Ames Ford Lincoln has long been a trusted pillar in Central Iowa, known for its upfront, hassle‑free approach and a commitment to serving customers with integrity. Their relaxed, no‑pressure buying experience — supported by non‑commissioned sales consultants and consumer‑friendly policies like the 7‑day “Like It or Return It” and 30‑day exchange options — reflects a genuine dedication to the people they serve.
We extend our gratitude to Nick Johnson and the entire Ames Ford Lincoln team for believing in our mission. Their support helps ensure that local news remains strong, accessible, and rooted in the community we all care about.
As our subscriber community grows, we’re honored to add another cornerstone business to our Founding Voices — partners who share our commitment to keeping Ames informed, connected, and thriving.
Welcome, Ames Ford Lincoln. We’re so glad you’re here.
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Top Story
The cage contains servers and data of one Lightedge customer. (Photo: Amber Mohmand)
by Lara Jones
Like hundreds of communities across the nation, Ames is in the midst of a debate about whether to approve construction of a data center, with intentions questioned on all sides.
On June 7, the Ames City Council heard a proposal that would dominate discussion for the rest of the summer.
Lightedge, an IT infrastructure company located in Des Moines, requested the city council approve its proposal to lease municipal land located at the airport on Aviation Way to build a 25-megawatt (MW), 10.86-acre, closed-loop cooling edge colocation facility.
The company shopped around the Ames area for property before it submitted its proposal for the airport location to city staff in May. Lightedge Chief Marketing Officer Matt Biegacki said this location allowed for tighter city regulation and a chance for the city to bring in higher rental revenue.
“I think the … thing that really changed this one is, the city reached out to us saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got 10 acres on the airport. Do you want to go use that? Because typically we would buy 10 acres of private land,” Biegacki said.
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News
Business
by Bill Monroe
Economic development hinges on the ability to work together. Its success depends on collaboration among the city, local businesses and other community partners.
Education
by Lara Jones
At its monthly work session, the Ames School Board outlined four goal areas to improve upon during the 2026-2027 school year: attendance, academic achievement, education climates and future readiness.
Civic Calendar
Mon: Building Board of Appeals — 4 p.m., Room 235, Ames City Hall
Mon: Commission on the Arts — 5 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall
Tue: Board of Supervisors — 10 a.m., Administration Building (Nevada)
Tue: Ames City Council — 6 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall
Wed: Zoning Board of Adjustment — 6 p.m., Finance Conference Room, Ames City Hall
Sports
Football
by Jared Larson
Wide receiver Suvan Kalivarapu caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jace Hennigar with 49 seconds remaining to lift the Ames Little Cyclones to a 23-16 comeback victory over the Marshalltown Bobcats.
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Community Voices
Books
by Douglas Burns
In an inviting and richly reported new book populated with larger-than-life figures cut from the fabric of everyday life in early 1900s central Iowa it is the city of Des Moines itself that emerges as the most riveting character.
More from Community Voices
🏛️ Ames’ first mayor helped lay the groundwork for the growing city.
In Other News
🚨 ISU alumnus Dimitri English’s death is being investigated as a homicide. (Des Moines Register)
🥗 Ames-based Clayton Farms is expanding to San Francisco. (Business Record)
Submissions
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