House Speaker Mike Schultz responds to video questioning land ownership near data center
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz is responding to a viral video questioning his land ownership near a proposed data center in Box Elder County. Schultz denies prior knowledge of the project when he bought the land and states his property is undevelopable. The situation has raised concerns about public trust, transparency, water usage, and air quality.
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz has responded to a viral video that questioned his ownership of 600 acres of land near a proposed data center in Box Elder County. Schultz asserted that the claims are misleading, stating that he committed to purchasing the land in October 2024, well before he learned about the data center project in April 2026. He also emphasized that the property, which is part of his farm and ranch, is undevelopable and approximately 15 miles from the proposed site.
Jackie Morgan, representing Elevate Strategies, raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, noting the significant increase in land values often associated with data center development. Morgan also highlighted issues of public trust and transparency, stating that Schultz's response regarding the land's developability does not fully address the questions posed, particularly why the ownership was not disclosed earlier.
Speaker Schultz himself expressed concerns regarding the proposed data center's potential impact on water usage and air quality, indicating these are critical questions for local leaders and residents.