Utah data center project sparks boycott calls against lawmaker's nursery

Box Elder County commissioners and the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) board have approved a massive hyperscale data center project near Snowville and Tremonton, Utah, despite a week of public protests and widespread outcry. The project is being developed by celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary. Following the approval, a social media campaign led by Daryl Lindsey (@yardfarmer.co) and Zach (@saltair_house) has called for a boycott of J&J Nursery and Garden Center in Layton. The nursery is owned by state Sen. Jerry Stevenson, a Republican who represents the Layton area and has served on the MIDA board since 2008, where he voted for the data center resolutions. Stevenson, who previously served as Layton mayor and chairs the state's executive appropriations committee, declined to comment on the boycott. J&J Nursery, which employs over 200 people, responded to the boycott calls on social media, acknowledging the strong public feelings but asking patrons to treat its employees with respect. The boycott calls have garnered significant attention on Instagram and Facebook, with many customers stating they will take their business elsewhere.