Perris fairgrounds project including small data center still in early stages, officials say
A proposal by Global Stack USA to build a small 'edge' data center at the Southern California Fair and Events Center near Lake Perris, California, is in its early stages. Local residents in Riverside County are expressing concerns over the project's potential water and energy use, mobilizing to attend public meetings. Fairgrounds officials emphasize that no construction has been approved yet, with Global Stack still conducting due diligence.
Residents in Riverside County, California, are voicing strong concerns over a proposed small data center project at the Southern California Fair and Events Center near Lake Perris. The project, proposed by Santa Ana-based infrastructure company Global Stack USA, is currently in its nascent stages, according to officials.
Last month, the 46th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors, which oversees the fairgrounds, granted Global Stack USA approval to explore the feasibility of building an 'edge' data center intended for emergency response. Global Stack CEO Dan Kang stated the company's vision is to develop similar small data centers on fairgrounds across the state, leveraging public assets with private investment to support community and emergency response hubs.
However, local residents, including those represented by Ismael Gonzalez Jr. of the Sierra Club San Gorgonio Chapter, were largely unaware of the initial non-binding memorandum. Over 100 people gathered at a recent District Agricultural Association board meeting, raising alarms about the potential water and energy consumption of data centers. While some residents also brought their concerns to the Perris Planning Commission, officials clarified that the commission lacks jurisdiction over the fairgrounds.
Russell Vandenberg, CEO of the SoCal Fair and Events Center, reiterated that no construction has been approved, emphasizing that Global Stack must first complete due diligence and secure approvals from various regulatory agencies and the fairgrounds board, incorporating public input. Vandenberg also suggested that an expanded parking lot and helipad might be larger components of Global Stack's overall project than the data center itself.