JEFFERSON CITY — Legislation designed to encourage high-tech data centers to locate to Missouri was signed into law today (4-9) by the governor. Senate Bill 149, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, offers sales and use tax exemptions to data storage centers looking to establish, expand or relocate to Missouri.

“Due to our climate, geography, central location and a relatively cheap cost of energy, our state is a great location for these centers, said Sen. Parson. “Our neighboring states, including, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Iowa already offer these types of incentives to lure data storage companies to their areas. It’s time Missouri acts before we get left behind in the new digital age.”

To receive the sales and use tax exemption a new data storage center must show the project will result in at least $25 million of new facility investment and create at least 10 new jobs with wages of at least 150 percent of the county average wage.

For expanding data centers, the bill requires an investment of at least $5 million and the creation of at least 5 new jobs also paying at least 150 percent of the county average wage.

“This is a bipartisan fiscally responsible bill that will create jobs and encourage capital investment in our communities across the state,” said Sen. Parson. “By bringing more high-tech jobs to our rural communities, we are working together to strengthen our economy and move Missouri forward.”