Before December 2025, many Independence residents had never heard of artificial intelligence data centers, the massive warehouses filled with specialized computer equipment that keeps AI programs running on devices nationwide. Now, construction has begun on a hyperscale AI data center in the city to the tune of $150 billion and 800 megawatts, shaking up Independence’s political and economic landscape in the process. Nebius, a Dutch company specializing in AI services, broke ground Tuesday on its