Box Elder County commissioner says he's received death threats over data center vote

Name: Box Elder County commissioner says he's received death threats over data center vote
Uploaded: 2026-05-07T12:58:59.000Z
Duration: 1 min 59 s
Description: Box Elder County commissioners approved a data center project, despite initially rejecting it, leading to death threats against Commissioner Lea Perry and protests at commissioners' homes. The approval for the project on private, unzoned land included stipulations to protect county interests, with state environmental and engineering agencies expected to oversee its development.

News Clip1:59FOX 13 News Utah·Box Elder County, UT·5/7/2026

Box Elder County commissioners approved a data center project, despite initially rejecting it, leading to death threats against Commissioner Lea Perry and protests at commissioners' homes. The approval for the project on private, unzoned land included stipulations to protect county interests, with state environmental and engineering agencies expected to oversee its development.

governmentzoningoppositionenvironmental

Gov: Box Elder County Commission, Military Infrastructure Development Authority, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, State Engineers Office

Box Elder County Commissioner Lea Perry reported receiving death threats following a unanimous commission vote to approve a data center project. Other commissioners also experienced protests at their homes. Perry, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, expressed concerns for his safety but acknowledged the protection provided by local law enforcement.
Perry explained that the Military Infrastructure Development Authority initially presented the project idea, which the commission first rejected. However, they were informed that the landowners were already under contract to sell their unzoned private land. Consequently, the commission's legal option was to approve an agreement with specific stipulations designed to safeguard the county's interests.
Commissioner Perry stated his confidence that the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the State Engineers Office would fulfill their oversight responsibilities, and that the Military Infrastructure Development Authority would honor its commitments if the project moves forward.