Independence Guard Alliance Sues to Block Nebius AI Data Center

The Independence Guard Alliance filed a lawsuit on August 13, 2026, seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the construction of a multibillion-dollar Nebius hyperscale AI data center. The proposed project spans nearly 500 acres in the Little Blue Valley of Independence, Missouri.

Plaintiffs allege that city officials violated Missouri's Sunshine Law by holding closed-door meetings and rezoning residential land to industrial use in 2022 without notifying homeowners. The lawsuit further claims the city improperly authorized over $150 billion in utility discounts and tax-abated bonds for the project while local residents deal with road deterioration, dust, and noise.

The City of Independence and Nebius Group have both responded to the claims. The city maintains that its approvals and processes were handled in accordance with applicable law. Nebius Group stated it remains committed to complying with all regulations as its investment in the community takes shape.