Mayor Crespin Reaffirms Economic Development Commitment Following Moratorium Decision

Following the City Council’s first-reading approval of an 18-month data center moratorium, Mayor Crespin addresses community concerns, transparency, and Lamar’s commitment to economic growth.

Following the Lamar City Council’s November 9 approval of the first reading of an 18-month data center moratorium ordinance, Mayor Kirk Crespin is reaffirming his commitment to economic development while addressing concerns raised throughout the discussion.

“The data center discussion has brought out some strong opinions in our community. I understand the concerns about water, electricity, and the long-term impact on Lamar and we have taken those concerns very seriously.”

Crespin says the discussion has also raised questions about his role in economic development, transparency, and how opportunities are brought before City Council.

“Economic development doesn’t start with a formal proposal presented to City Council. It starts with cold calls, building relationships, identifying potential sites, and working with City staff to determine whether we have the resources to attract a prospective business. That’s work I’ve done for years, and I believe it’s an important part of my responsibility as Mayor.”

Crespin says that during his seven years as Mayor, he has made it a practice to involve the City Administrator and Mayor Pro Tem early in economic development discussions to provide transparency and accountability within City leadership.

“I don’t believe these discussions should happen with just the Mayor working on his own. That’s why I involve the City Administrator and Mayor Pro Tem when there’s interest from a potential developer. It ensures other City leaders are aware of the opportunities we’re exploring before anything requiring approval comes before the full Council.”

Crespin says this checks-and-balances approach was followed with the potential data center development.

“City Administrator Mitch Hammes and then-Mayor Pro Tem Brent Bates participated in the initial meeting with a representative of the prospective developer. I was particularly pleased to have Brent involved because of his additional role with Prowers Economic Prosperity (PEP). I continued sharing information with them as I researched whether the development could be a good fit for Lamar.”

Crespin said his research focused on city-owned property, water availability, electrical capacity and rates, and fiber infrastructure. Based on that work, he believed Lamar had the resources to potentially support the project while generating investment, jobs, long-term revenue, and potentially lower electricity rates.

“How can we make informed decisions if we haven’t done the research to understand what it could mean for our community?” Crespin said. “Researching an opportunity doesn’t mean anyone is approving it.”

He said the process also highlighted several of Lamar’s competitive advantages, including available land, electrical infrastructure, fiber connectivity, and potential water resources, helping attract interest from a prospective investor.

“That’s what economic development is all about! We identified an opportunity, researched what our community could offer, and attracted an interested investor. Then, we reached the point where it was time to bring the opportunity before the City Council and County Commissioners to determine whether there was support to move forward.”

On August 24, the potential development and preliminary proposal were presented during a joint City Council and Prowers County Commissioners work session. The Council subsequently considered a proposed Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement (MNDA) that would have allowed ongoing discussions and investigative research to continue.

Then-Mayor Pro Tem Brent Bates moved to reject the MNDA and direct staff to prepare a 24-month moratorium. The Council approved the motion unanimously. Following additional discussions with the City Attorney, the Council directed staff to prepare an 18-month ordinance.

“There wasn’t sufficient support from the City Council or County Commissioners to continue pursuing the opportunity. I respected that decision, dropped the proposal, and ended communications with the prospective developer.”

Crespin says the outcome and entire process demonstrate how the City’s checks-and-balances are intended to work.

“As Mayor, I can meet with prospective businesses, research opportunities, identify potential sites, and present proposals. But I cannot independently commit the City to agreements, incentives, or other actions that require Council approval. Those decisions belong to the City Council, and the data center discussions prove how that process works.”

He also noted that if the Council had approved of the MNDA it still would not have guaranteed a development. There would have been additional agreements, engineering and environmental studies, zoning reviews, public hearings, and other approvals that would have been required.

“In the end, not every economic development opportunity will move forward, and that’s okay,” Crespin said. “Our responsibility is to explore opportunities, understand their potential, and bring them forward for consideration.”

Regarding the requests for documentation of the data center discussions under the Colorado Open Records Act, Crespin said he welcomes the review.

“I believe those records will document the steps that took place, the research I conducted, the information I developed, and show my efforts to attract a potential investor to Lamar. They should also help demonstrate the City’s decision-making process and my intent to seek community input before any final decisions were made.”

Crespin said he has never hidden his efforts to pursue economic development and will continue working with prospective manufacturers, restaurants, retailers, and other businesses interested in Lamar.

With the council advancing the 18-month moratorium, he said the community can now focus on developing standards for future data center proposals while continuing to pursue other economic development opportunities.

“The purpose of the moratorium is to give us time to address community concerns and develop standards that protect Lamar and the surrounding area,” Crespin said. “I have every confidence in Mayor Pro Tem Mark Headlee’s leadership of the community-based committee as they work towards developing standards and regulations for our community.”

After nearly 30 years of community involvement, Crespin said his commitment to Lamar remains unchanged.

“I make no apologies for actively working to attract new businesses, industries, and investment to Lamar,” Crespin said. ” Economic development is not just part of my responsibility as Mayor, it’s part of my commitment to this community and its future.”

In closing he added, “This is our community, and its future belongs to all of us. We may not always agree, but we can keep listening, working together, and moving forward together.”

By: Barbara Crimond