Missouri’s data center market reflects strong local pushback against hyperscale AI facilities amid surging power and water demands, yet limited prospects for statewide action. Recent county-level moratoriums in Pettis, Wentzville, Nodaway, and Springfield—often tied to environmental or infrastructure studies—along with St. Louis zoning rules on noise and buffers, signal community resistance to projects exceeding 5 MW or 100,000 square feet. However, the 2026 legislative session ended without advancing any broad pause, and only a narrow St. Louis-focused bill emerged. Republican leadership prioritizes economic growth from the state’s 8 GW pipeline, while the next regular session opens in 2027. Traders price near-term enactment low because legislative inertia and pro-development incentives outweigh scattered local precedents.