Council members make clear: No plans for data center in Redding
The Redding City Council has expressed strong disapproval for a proposed data center project in the city, following a recommendation from Circle 6 Consulting and significant community opposition. Council members cited lack of space, minimal job creation, and high electricity usage as reasons against the project. This decision effectively halts the consideration of a data center in Redding for the foreseeable future.
The Redding City Council has decisively rejected the idea of bringing a data center project to the city, despite a recommendation from Circle 6 Consulting. The consulting firm, hired to conduct an efficiency study for Redding, suggested considering a data center to improve city finances.
During a recent council meeting, Nathan Sprague, principal of Circle 6 Consulting, presented the study's findings, briefly mentioning the data center recommendation. This was met with audible groans from the audience of approximately 80 community members, many of whom had gathered to voice their opposition. Several residents, including Susan Weiss and political activist Leslie Sawyer, spoke against the proposal, citing concerns about property values, health risks, environmental impacts, and quality of life.
Mayor Mike Littau, Council member Dr. Paul Dhanuka, Council member Erin Resner, and Council member Tenessa Audette all expressed their firm opposition. Reasons given included the city's lack of suitable space, the limited number of jobs such a facility would create, and the significant electricity demands. Council member Audette accepted the consultant's overall report but explicitly noted it was "sans data centers." The council will hold a special meeting in the coming weeks to discuss other recommendations from the efficiency study.