Box Elder County commissioners vote in favor of massive data center project

Box Elder County commissioners voted to approve a massive data center project following a highly contentious public meeting. Hundreds of residents gathered at the fairgrounds to voice their opposition, with many booing and yelling "shame" after commissioners announced there would be no public comment. The noise level was so high that the commissioners temporarily left the room before continuing the meeting in a private space, which was then broadcast to the crowd. The proposed data center development is notable for its sheer scale, spanning approximately 40,000 acres, which residents compared to the size of several Utah cities. Concerns were primarily focused on the project's vast land footprint and its anticipated high water consumption, with residents expressing worry about the environmental impact extending beyond Box Elder County. Commissioners, while acknowledging the public sentiment, emphasized property rights and the county's efforts to update its zoning regulations to protect development interests.