Falls Ranch data center project moving forward without Prometheus

CASPER, Wyo. -- The planned data center project at Falls Ranch will move forward under a new development company despite the sudden departure of Prometheus Hyperscale, ranch representatives announced Wednesday evening.

The announcement came hours after local officials learned Prometheus backed out of its proposed $500 million computing center east of Casper. Falls Ranch representatives said the change in partners will not stall progress on the 940-acre site south of Interstate 25, with public meetings planned for 2027.

"This has always been a Wyoming project, but today it represents something even greater: an opportunity for Natrona County to shape its own economic future," Robert Hand, representative for Falls Ranch, said.

Hand said the project will still pursue local filing deadlines, work to build community partnerships and bring construction jobs, long-term employment and tax revenue to the county.

"This recent shift will expedite and elevate this project for Natrona County, and we couldn't be more excited about it," Hand said. "Falls Ranch will remain committed to agricultural stewardship and will continue to honor Wyoming's ranching legacy."

The release did not name the incoming developer or explain why Prometheus exited the deal.

Earlier Wednesday, Prometheus confirmed it had abandoned its proposal to build a 1.5-gigawatt campus on the ranch. The original plan called for data halls, closed-loop cooling systems and on-site natural gas generators supplied by Evansville-based Mesa Power Solutions. Company leaders had pitched the project as a source of 3,000 temporary construction jobs, 150 permanent positions and tens of millions of dollars in annual property tax revenue.

The project drew pushback from nearby landowners along Hat Six Road and Meadow Acres. Neighbors raised issues during public meetings over round-the-clock generator noise, light pollution, air emissions, heavy truck traffic and state sales tax exemptions for data center equipment.

Prometheus had not submitted applications to the Natrona County Planning and Zoning Commission before pulling out.

County commissioners were shocked at the company's departure, noting Prometheus gave no warning before walking away.

"I have absolutely no clue of why they've decided to pull out or anything else at this point in time," Natrona County Commissioner Dave North said earlier in the day.

Justin Farley, CEO of Advance Casper, said earlier Wednesday that other tech developers currently hold land options in the county and that local industrial recruitment continues.