Marana Town Council candidates discuss data center, growth and proposed ICE detention facility at forum
Candidates for Marana Town Council discussed the recently approved data center rezoning at a forum, highlighting community division over the project's water and power usage. Opponents raised concerns about potential rising utility costs and insufficient regulatory oversight, while supporters emphasized job creation. The forum also touched upon the need for robust infrastructure alongside economic development.
Five candidates vying for seats on the Marana Town Council debated critical issues, including a recently approved data center project, at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson. The discussion followed the Marana Town Council's unanimous approval in January to rezone 600 acres for the data center, a decision recommended by the Planning Commission the previous December. The community remains divided over the development.
Candidates presented varied stances on the data center. Jackie McGuire, a research analyst, criticized the town’s data center ordinance as insufficient and questioned the financial guarantees from developers, specifically mentioning private equity firm Blue Owl and developer Beale Infrastructure. Sue Ritz, an engineer, voiced concerns about the lack of regulatory infrastructure for hyperscale data centers and their electricity consumption. Conversely, Jackie Craig asserted that common data center issues, such as water usage, have already been addressed in Marana, stating the facility would use water in a one-time, recirculating manner. Julie Prince, a former reporter, called for more information on the facilities and suggested construction jobs would be temporary, while incumbent Teri Murphy highlighted Marana's undeveloped land as an opportunity for growth and employment.
The forum also touched on broader development issues, including the need for balanced growth, infrastructure investment for roads and education, and improved ethical standards within the council. Candidates also briefly addressed a potential ICE detention facility and water conservation in the context of Colorado River negotiations. The League of Women Voters enforced a ban on recording the forum to prevent partisan misuse of candidate statements.