DougCo commissioners approve Business Personal Property Tax rebate for Parker data center
Douglas County Commissioners have approved a 100% Business Personal Property Tax rebate for a Flexential data center in Parker, Colorado, spanning 35 years and totaling over $19 million. This decision has sparked significant concern and frustration among local residents, who view it as preferential treatment for a large corporation, especially given the creation of only 16 jobs.
The Douglas County Commissioners recently approved a 100% Business Personal Property Tax rebate for the Flexential data center in Parker, Colorado. This rebate, covering the company's machinery and equipment over the next 35 years, amounts to more than $19 million. While the agreement does not cover taxes to the Town of Parker or Douglas County Public Schools, it has drawn criticism from residents.
Douglas County Reporter Jessica Porter noted that residents are "extremely frustrated" about the decision. During Tuesday's business meeting, commissioners passed the major tax rebate for the Flexential facility, which is expected to be online by January. Residents like Joe Luego, who was not at the meeting but voiced his concerns, questioned the 35-year term of the agreement and the perceived preferential treatment given to a large corporation for only 16 jobs, an employment number confirmed by Flexential.
Luego expressed that while he understands the principle of tax cuts, he does not favor this specific arrangement, seeing it as a "double tax" for small businesses and an unfair competitive edge for Flexential. The rebate has sparked ongoing debate about the economic benefits data centers bring to the community versus the costs of such incentives, especially as other areas consider or enact moratoriums on similar facilities.