Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt admits he is frustrated over the lack of action on possible development of the state’s newest proposed data center which would be on state-owned land near Lawton.
“You’re supposed to lease them,” said the governor in response to an inquiry by Oklahoma Watch. “You put them out to bid, and you’re supposed to go to the highest bidder. That’s the way I feel about it. Some of my colleagues disagree with me, and that’s the way the system works.”
As chairman of the State School Land Commission, the governor referred to last spring’s auction for a long-term lease on a 338-acre piece of land on the east side of Lawton. It was won by Boomtown Manufacturing LLC but the final agreement before the Commissioners of the Land Office has been delayed since the April auction.
Some commissioners were concerned about more transparency for the neighbors of the site while State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd favored selling the land rather than leasing it. Gov. Stitt says the commissioners have a duty to get the best returns on behalf of education in the state.