Box Elder County tables final consent for MIDA ‘Stratos’ project, adopts resolution to study impacts

A presentation on April 22 by the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) describing the proposed “Stratos” hyperscale data‑center and energy project prompted sustained questions from Box Elder County commissioners and residents, and left the commission withholding final approval pending further review.

The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve an amended Resolution #26-10 expressing the county’s intent to engage with MIDA and private landowners to examine potential inclusion of private unincorporated county land in the Stratos Project Area. Commissioners simultaneously tabled the formal consent and the proposed interlocal agreement to allow county attorneys, staff and residents additional time to assess legal, fiscal and community impacts.

Why it matters: MIDA described a project that its executive director said could bring substantial revenue and jobs to the county while supporting military mission resilience. Paul Morris, MIDA’s executive director and general counsel, told the commission the proposal centers on roughly 40,000 acres and would deliver both construction employment and approximately 2,000 permanent high‑paying jobs; he characterized the opportunity as “a once in a generational opportunity.” Colonel Andrew Owens of the Utah National Guard framed the project as part of national security infrastructure, saying “our homeland is no longer a sanctuary” and arguing investments in energy resilience and critical systems are necessary for mission continuity.

Commissioners pressed MIDA on upfront costs to local services. In response, Morris said the developers propose an initial payment schedule to the county totaling about $16.2 million spread over three years (with an initial $5.2 million on building‑permit issuance and subsequent yearly payments in the early years). Morris also said the first 3‑gigawatt phase would produce a minimum $30 million annually for the county, with revenues rising to $108 million annually after later build‑out; he said developers plan to construct and dedicate infrastructure rather than seek county subsidies. The MIDA presentation emphasized low water use, air‑cooled generation and recycling cooling water that developers say contains brine and would be treated and returned to the aquifer.

Public comment illustrated the split in the valley. Landowners and ranchers raised concerns about traffic and road safety, groundwater and well impacts, potential effects on electricity prices and the project’s timeline and transparency. Several other nearby landowners and ranchers voiced strong support, saying they had signed consents and that the revenue and jobs could benefit Box Elder County. The commission emphasized protecting agricultural heritage and local control, and said commissioners are consulting county counsel.

What’s next: Chairman Tyler Vincent said the county will continue due diligence and that staff and attorneys will review the interlocal agreement; he also said a special meeting could be scheduled to meet MIDA’s time‑sensitive calendar. For now, the Commission’s tabling motion preserves county review while it pursues additional information and public involvement.

Quotes from the meeting are taken verbatim from the meeting record.