Open House Provides Some Answers about Data Center Proposal

UPDATED 04/09/2026

An Open House was held for residents interested in the proposed data center to be located on city-owned land in the Eldorado Valley. The project faces some hurdles, and voter approval in November will be needed to add data centers as an approved use to the Land Management Plan. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information about what is being proposed for the area.

Many people in attendance continued to express concerns about environmental impacts on the water and power supply. Data centers typically consume a lot of water to keep computer servers cool and operating. This proposed project would utilize its own resources and not be part of the city's electric/power or water systems. The data center proposed would use an air-cooled cooling system to protect the servers inside. The contractor seeks to purchase approximately 900,000 gallons of effluent, or non potable, water for dust control should the project be approved.

Other environmental concerns were addressed as well, like heat and noise, which would be managed inside the building. The location and elevation of the proposed site would reduce the impacts of heat particulate and noise emissions. Air quality was another concern residents have voiced. The contractor noted that biodiesel generators would only be activated during emergencies and equipment testing for approximately 80 hours per year. The data center, should it be built, would have its own fire suppression system with onsite water tanks and hydrants.

There will be 200-300 high wage jobs available during project construction. After facility completion, there will be 25-40 permanent technical positions with an average salary exceeding $100,000/year plus benefits.

This is a subject that requires more study and data before voters can cast informed votes on the proposal. According to City Manager, Ned Thomas, the education is ongoing.  “The City’s Land Management Process is set up to provide all residents with multiple opportunities to ask questions and provide input to the City Council, Planning Commission, and City Staff on proposed uses of City owned land. We greatly value and appreciate all the input we have received so far, and there will be many additional opportunities for residents to express their opinions and concerns about this project. This is exactly how the Land Management Process is designed to work, and we are still in the early stages of this process.”

We will keep our readers up to date on the latest news from the project.