Cortez joins the Morning Newswatch to discuss upcoming council meeting

Joplin Mayor Keenan Cortez addressed concerns about the controversial annexation and rezoning proposal of nearly 540 acres of land from the old Wildwood Ranch area during a Monday morning interview on NewsTalk KZRG, ahead of the City Council's second and third reading of the ordinances.

The Joplin City Council will hold its regular Monday meeting on Tuesday because of the President’s Day holiday and it will be held at Missouri Southern State University's Corley Auditorium — relocated from City Hall to accommodate anticipated large crowds following overflow at the January 20 session.

The main focus is the second and third readings of ordinances to annex approximately 540 acres in the Wildwood Ranch area (southwest of Central City Road and 20th Street) and rezone portions to heavy industrial (M2) from the default residential (R1) upon annexation. The proposal stems from a 2009 agreement with property owner James Pinjuv, advancing early, and is widely seen as enabling a potential large-scale data center or technology facility.

Cortez explained the multi-reading process under state law allows time for additional community input and reflection before a final vote. 

"This is our opportunity... to have a second reading and third reading," he said. "We've heard lots of testimony... and we're probably going to have a tremendous amount more tomorrow night."

On the likelihood of the council reversing its initial 6-3 approval from January, Cortez declined to predict outcomes or reveal his own vote. "I've never done that," he said. "What has been done in the first vote generally comes down... but there's been a lot of press, conversation, homework, and due diligence." He emphasized remaining open to new testimony and information, noting his decision will be public record.

Addressing public fears — including impacts on water tables, electricity rates, or infrastructure — Cortez called many claims "misnomers" not borne out in other communities with data centers. "If these problems were really profound... we'd be hearing about that on the nightly news," he said. "They'd be shut down quick."

He cited a personal visit to Pryor, Oklahoma, home to one of the world's largest Google data centers (set to expand further). Local feedback there was overwhelmingly positive: job creation in construction, security, and operations; economic boosts; and community support. Cortez highlighted Google's on-site water filtration system that returns cleaner water than it takes in for cooling — "a testament to how far technology has come."

The mayor stressed long-term community benefits from such developments, while acknowledging ongoing review. "I do believe... having something in our community such as a proposed data center... wouldn't be a bad thing," he said, though the exact project remains unconfirmed.

Other agenda items include monthly sales tax reports (described as "pretty positive" but flat amid shifting retail trends), budget amendments for FY 2025 (year-end) and FY 2026 (including insurance settlements for police vehicles, federal grants for mental health training, equipment, and more), and routine business.

Cortez urged early arrival for seating, as the meeting could run long — the January session stretched past 1:30 a.m. It will stream live on Newstalk KZRG live stream, which includes KZRG Facebook’s page, NewstalkKZRG.com and KZRG’s Youtube channel. It will not air on live radio.