Tax break approved for Parker data center
Douglas County commissioners approved a $19 million, 35-year tax break for a Flexential data center under construction in Parker, Colorado. The unanimous vote came despite opposition from county residents who questioned the move for a project expected to generate only 16 new jobs. Commissioners stated they would grant such tax waivers to any business that requests them.
Douglas County commissioners unanimously approved a significant tax break for Flexential, a data center company, for its facility currently under construction in Parker, Colorado. The decision grants Flexential a $19 million waiver on business personal property tax over 35 years, covering machinery, equipment, and furniture.
The vote followed a public meeting in Castle Rock where five county residents voiced opposition, primarily questioning the necessity of such a substantial tax incentive for a project projected to create only 16 new jobs. The measure was initially slated for the consent agenda, which would have bypassed public comment, but was moved to the main agenda to allow for discussion.
Despite the opposition, the three commissioners affirmed their support for waiving business personal property taxes for all businesses, with Commissioner Thiel stating, "Business personal property tax is the worst thing this state has done. For businesses in this state, I will give a 100% credit to any business that asks for it. I don't care who it is." The commissioners noted that businesses with less than $100,000 in personal property already receive such waivers. Kevin Vaughn of Nine News Investigates reported on the meeting.