Topeka Airport Authority Signed Data Center Agreement
A proposed data center at Forbes Field awaits the expiration of a county-wide moratorium on new project applications.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Data Centers
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The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority signed a non-binding letter of intent with a developer for a data center project at Forbes Field in August 2026. The proposed development remains paused until the Shawnee County moratorium on such projects expires in February 2027.
Why it matters
The project serves as a key industrial anchor intended to open 400 acres of non-aeronautical land at the airport for development. This proposal tests how regional infrastructure can accommodate high-demand utility requirements for modern computing facilities.
The proposed facility design requires 70 to 80 megawatts of power, with the developer tasked to build a new substation near Topeka Boulevard and 70th Street. The site plan features two to four buildings at 150,000 square feet each on a 30 to 40-acre parcel.
The players
Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority
The governing body responsible for the operation and development of Topeka's aviation infrastructure and non-aeronautical land assets.
Shawnee County Commission
The local legislative body holding regulatory authority over zoning and industrial development projects within the county.
Topeka City Council
The municipal governing board overseeing urban planning and development approvals for the city of Topeka.
The details
The facility will employ a closed-loop water system to manage cooling, with the developer currently investigating water procurement from a Douglas County rural water district. Power distribution requires constructing dedicated utility infrastructure to connect to regional high-voltage lines. The site, situated 1,000 feet from SE 77th Street, is designated under a proposed 45-year ground lease arrangement.
Timeline
August 13, 2026: The Shawnee County Commission enacted a six-month moratorium on data center applications.
August 2026: The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority signed the non-binding letter of intent.
October 13, 2026: The airport authority is set to present the proposal to the Topeka City Council.
February 17, 2027: The Shawnee County moratorium on data center projects expires.
The Tech Race
The project faces delays imposed by the Shawnee County data center moratorium, which restricts new industrial applications until February 2027. This regulatory pause reflects an intensifying regional struggle to balance high-capacity utility demands with local land use policies.
Local residents will see industrial development move toward the 400-acre non-aeronautical portion of the airport if the proposal advances after February 2027. The project timeline is currently estimated at three to four years, though developers are attempting to shorten this duration.
The takeaway
The project serves as a case study for how land-rich airport authorities attempt to attract high-power industrial tenants. Observers should track the City Council presentation on October 13, 2026, for additional details regarding the developer's strategy for meeting utility requirements.
What happens next
The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority will present the project details to the Topeka City Council on October 13, 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional computing infrastructure, visit the Data Centers section.
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