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Neighbor urges Everett to oppose proposed data center, citing utility and job concerns
Summary
At a City of Everett meeting, Diego Maldonado and other speakers urged the council to oppose a proposed data center, saying it would not benefit local employment, would strain water and power supplies, and could raise utility bills for nearby residents.
Diego Maldonado, who identified himself as a neighbor from Malden, told the Everett City Council he is "highly against the creation of a data center within the city of Everett." Maldonado said the projects typically do not create jobs for residents near the facility and warned they use large amounts of water and electricity, which he said will increase utility costs for surrounding communities.
A second commenter warned that "utility rates spike by up to 25% for residents," saying that higher utility bills would effectively transfer public money to support private development. The meeting record contains no response from proponents of a data center or from city staff during the public‑comment segment; the point remained a public concern rather than a council decision.
The clerk noted livestreaming issues during the meeting and said audio and video recordings would be posted afterward so that the public could view the full comments. Councilors did not take formal action on the data‑center subject during the portion of the meeting recorded in the transcript.
Why it matters: Data centers can require significant infrastructure — notably electricity and water — and neighbors and municipalities frequently raise questions about local job creation, strain on utilities, and rates. Public commenters asked the council for scrutiny and for staff answers in future meetings.
What to watch next: The transcript records community opposition but no formal referral, study, or vote on a data‑center application during this session. Any formal proposal, staff report, or permit application that appears on a future agenda would be the point at which council action is possible.
