Ventura County Fairgrounds board considers data center proposal amid public opposition
Global Stack USA has proposed building an "edge computing" data center at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, a proposal currently under public consideration. Residents are urged to oppose the project, citing concerns over electricity consumption, industrializing public oceanfront land, and a potential 100-year lease. Other California counties have already rejected or tabled similar proposals from Global Stack.
The Ventura County Fairgrounds board is actively considering a proposal from Global Stack USA to develop an "edge computing" data center on its grounds. The proposal includes a parking garage and a helipad, and the computing units are estimated to draw 8 to 10 megawatts, comparable to the electricity consumption of thousands of homes. Global Stack USA, incorporated in March, is reportedly pitching similar projects to as many as 70 state fairgrounds across California, framing them as emergency infrastructure.
Local residents, like the letter writer to the Ventura County Star, are voicing strong opposition to the plan. Concerns include the industrialization of Seaside Park, which was designated for recreation and community use, the significant electricity demand, and the terms of the lease, which an early document described as a 100-year agreement for about five acres of oceanfront public land. A state official overseeing California's fairs has reportedly promoted Global Stack to fair boards, while his daughter works for the company.
Other communities in California have already reacted to similar proposals from Global Stack. Calistoga reportedly withdrew from consideration, while fair boards in Tulare and Solano counties tabled the idea following public opposition. The author urges the Ventura County Fairgrounds board to reject the current proposal and encourages residents to engage with the board on the issue.