Box Elder commissioners agree to study proposed MIDA 'Stratus' data center, table formal consent after public comment

Paul Morris, executive director and general counsel for the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), told the Box Elder County Commission that a proposed hyperscale, military-focused data center project could sit on roughly 40,000 acres across Locomotive Valley, Hansel Valley and adjacent areas and would use on-site power tied to the Ruby pipeline and low-water, air-cooled technology. "A 100% of the power will be generated off the Ruby pipeline," Morris said, adding that the project team expects minimized water use and that landowners in the proposed area have signed consent agreements.

Colonel Andrew Owens of the Utah National Guard said such projects support national-security infrastructure, calling investments that strengthen energy resilience and critical systems “important” amid global competition. Paul Morris and other presenters described possible economic benefits including thousands of construction jobs and an estimated minimum municipal revenue of $30 million annually in the first phase, rising to $108 million at buildout. Morris also described an upfront contribution plan of $16.2 million over three years to address the lag before tax revenues begin.

Commissioners said they needed more time to review the interlocal agreement and the consent resolution and to involve county residents and their attorneys. Commissioner Bingham moved to table agenda items 9a and 9b (the land-use consent resolution and the interlocal agreement); the motion passed by voice vote. The board instead considered an amended, nonconsent resolution (26-10) expressing the county’s intent to engage with MIDA to evaluate benefits, impacts and terms; Commissioner Perry moved to adopt the amended resolution and the commission approved it.

The meeting drew an extended public-comment period focused on the proposal. Speakers attending the public comment period raised concerns about traffic on narrow rural roads, possible aquifer and water-quality impacts from brine processing, long-term effects on agricultural land values, and whether the county had adequate time and information. Several local landowners and representatives also spoke in favor, citing potential high-paying jobs and county revenue. Kent Hyer, a local landowner, asked whether brine processing would affect shared aquifers; Morris and county staff discussed the developers’ plan to treat and reinject water and said they expect no net loss to the Great Salt Lake but acknowledged the need for further technical review.

The commission announced there will likely be a special meeting to readdress consent and to provide an opportunity for more detailed public input; any formal consent will require further legal review and, per presenters, landowner consent where private property is involved. The amended resolution adopted on the day expresses intent to look further into the project rather than granting final approval.