Missouri Booms: $1.4B Data Center, Roadwork, Elections | The Locally Times
A $1.4 billion Metrobloks data center in Liberty promises 568,800 sq ft of AI-ready infrastructure, even as MoDOT begins 11 days of Northeast Missouri roadwork and communities prepare for April 7 elections.
Missouri's economic landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, anchored by a staggering $1.4 billion data center investment announced today in Liberty. This massive development unfolds as Northeast Missourians navigate routine roadwork, and communities across the state prepare for crucial election deadlines and civic opportunities. A public notice issued by MoDOT on March 20, 2026, warns residents to anticipate travel impacts across the region. While public records do not detail precise locations or specific maintenance types, MoDOT advises checking the Traveler information map for all road closures and planned work. Residents should prepare for potential delays during this eleven-day period. Local governance also continued its regular course in Callaway County. The County Commission held scheduled meetings on Monday, March 23, and today, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. to 4:30 p.m. Commissioners' specific engagements included a tour of the Arthur Center in Mexico, MO, a 3C’s Tax Surplus meeting with Katy Flowers, and attendance at City Council meetings in New Bloomfield and Fulton. ## Major Investments and Small Business Support Today, March 24, 2026, marks a monumental economic development for Missouri as Metrobloks unveiled plans for a $1.4 billion investment in Liberty. The Missouri Department of Economic Development confirmed the project: a new, state-of-the-art, high-density data center campus spanning 568,800 square feet across three buildings. This represents one of the largest capital investments in Missouri's history. Metrobloks, a data center developer specializing in AI-ready low-latency infrastructure, positions this announcement as a cornerstone of the region's ongoing "business boom." Complementing this large-scale investment, the Missouri State Treasurer announced an upcoming opportunity for smaller enterprises. The MOBUCK$ application portal for the Small Business category of the Missouri Linked Deposit Program is set to open Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. CST. This program, designed to provide financial support to small businesses, had its portal opening details published by the State Treasurer's office. ## Election Deadlines and Community Services Civic participation is underway in Cole County, where absentee voting for the April 7, 2026 Municipal Election began Monday, March 23. This crucial voting period, confirmed by Cole County Government records, will continue through Friday, March 27, 2026. Residents planning to vote absentee must cast their ballots within this timeframe. Separately, the City of Hallsville is organizing a community service for its residents: a curb-side appliance pick-up service scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2026. This service aims to assist with spring cleaning and the proper disposal of bulky items. ## Key Questions **How will the roadwork affect my commute in Northeast Missouri?** MoDOT has planned general highway maintenance from March 23 to April 3, 2026. Specific locations are not detailed, but residents should anticipate potential travel impacts and delays. **When can small businesses apply for the MOBUCK$ program?** The application portal for the Small Business category of the Missouri Linked Deposit Program is scheduled to open on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. CST. **What are the dates for absentee voting in Cole County?** Absentee voting for the April 7, 2026 Municipal Election in Cole County runs from Monday, March 23, to Friday, March 27, 2026.