TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – A controversial data center southeast of Tucson is one step closer to becoming a reality. The Pima County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a binding agreement for the project next Tuesday.
Beale Infrastructure, the developer, plans to build the data center just north of the county fairgrounds and west of Houghton Road. They promise to match all energy use with renewable power, invest $15 million in local education and workforce programs and utilize a waterless cooling system. The project is expected to bring billions in investment, tax revenue and thousands of new jobs.
Despite these promises, the proposal has met with opposition. Vivek Bharathan of the No Desert Data Center Coalition expressed his frustration, saying, “Supervisors Christy, Heinz and Scott are giving Beale a data center for Christmas and we don’t even get a lump of coal.”
If the agreement is signed, it would move Beale a step closer to constructing the data center on more than 200 empty acres near Houghton Road and Interstate 10. Some opponents, including Supervisor Jennifer Allen, are concerned about the environmental impact. “We are better off with this than we would be without it. I still have concerns,” Allen said.
Pima County Chair Rex Scott emphasizes the benefits, highlighting the potential capital investment, job growth and nearly $21 million the county will gain from the land sale. “We can use all of those enhanced revenues to help increase the level of services and support that we provide to Pima County,” Scott said.
Supervisor Matt Heinz expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating:
“I’m pleased Pima County and Beale have finalized a legally binding agreement that locks in the commitments the company made to our community. Those include air cooling, millions in workforce-development funding, and 100% renewable energy. With no industrial water use and fully renewable power, this is a significantly better project for southern Arizona.”
If signed, this agreement would keep the land sale on track to close before the end of the month.
Below is a statement from Beale Infrastructure:
“Beale Infrastructure appreciates the constructive dialogue and partnership with Pima County that has led to this binding agreement for the Houghton Road project. This collaboration ensures we can move this project forward responsibly, delivering a best-in-class, sustainably developed digital infrastructure project for the region.
This agreement formalizes our commitment to air-cooled technology and to match 100 percent of our energy consumption with renewable energy, which will be independently verified. Furthermore, we are providing a $15 million community donation, including funds dedicated to local STEM and trade school programs. We look forward to the Board of Supervisors’ consideration of this MOA on December 16th and are excited to begin delivering on our promises to Pima County.”
Below is the full binding agreement: