Residents urge caution as Quorum Court hears plans for $6 billion Clean Cloud Energy data center

Several Grant County residents urged the Quorum Court on Aug. 18 to proceed cautiously before approving a proposed Clean Cloud Energy data center that speakers said would be sited about a half‑mile from homes.

Frank Clement told the court the project, which he said is a $6 billion investment, “is going to be ½ mile from my door” and asked the court to “please do our due diligence before approving the project.” He said an estimated 1,200 construction workers could “put stress on the county” and that he feared the project could lower property values in surrounding neighborhoods.

Project manager George Murray, who said he has roughly 35 years’ experience managing large projects, presented a handout to the court and described “40 questions that need to be answered by Clean Cloud” to inform the court’s decision-making.

Glenn Strong told the body he “trusts our Quorum Court” and urged justices to continue gathering information about the proposal and to make that information available to citizens.

The court did not take any formal action on the data center during the meeting; public comments were recorded as part of the discussion. No county staff presentation from Clean Cloud Energy or any company representative was recorded in the meeting minutes provided.

Next steps were not specified in the transcript; residents asked the court for additional information and due diligence before any approval.