Beale Infrastructure donates $5.9M to Pima Community College
Pima Community College's governing board accepted a nearly $6 million donation from Beale Infrastructure, the company behind Project Blue, a controversial data center development in Tucson. The donation, intended for scholarships and faculty, has sparked debate among community members due to concerns over the data center's potential water and energy use. PCC Chancellor Jeffrey Nasci defended the decision, citing the college's limited funding.
The Pima Community College (PCC) governing board in Tucson, Arizona, recently accepted a nearly $6 million donation from Beale Infrastructure, the company behind the controversial "Project Blue" data center development. The gift, totaling $5.9 million over five years, is designated for scholarships and faculty positions at the college.
PCC Chancellor Jeffrey Nasci stated that the college's funding is limited, having not received a sustainable state funding source from Arizona since 2009. He emphasized that the donation would support students and workforce development, clarifying that the recent departure of the college's director of sustainability was unrelated to the donation.
However, the decision has faced scrutiny from some Southern Arizonans who expressed skepticism and disappointment. Critics view Beale Infrastructure as an "enemy of local sustainability" due to ongoing debates surrounding Project Blue's potential water and energy consumption. Despite the controversy, Beale Infrastructure issued a statement asserting that the funding would support teacher and instructor salaries and denied any knowledge or relationship to specific staffing decisions.
Chancellor Nasci acknowledged the passionate views on both sides of the Project Blue discussion but reiterated his belief that the donation would directly benefit local students.