Ohio Emerges as a Hub for AI and Cloud Computing Data Centers

Rural Utah residents are pushing to put a massive artificial intelligence data center project to a public vote in November, reflecting a growing wave of nationwide opposition to the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure. According to reporting by CNN, a group of Box Elder County voters applied to add a referendum to the local ballot to overturn a county commission’s approval of the development.

The Stratos Project and Local Environmental Concerns

Approved by Box Elder County commissioners on Monday, the 9-gigawatt data center and natural gas plant project is backed by high-profile investors including Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary. Developers intend to construct the facilities on a 40,000-acre campus on unincorporated land in northwest Utah. According to CNN reporting, the site sits just north of the shrinking Great Salt Lake in an area dominated by ranching, farming, and open space that serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds.

Local residents and environmental advocates argue that the project threatens a fragile local ecosystem and could strain regional resources. Caroline Gleich, an environmental advocate and resident of nearby Park City, Utah, told CNN, It’s very concerning and difficult to be a proponent of this, with the amount of land, energy and the impacts to our communities, without guardrails, accountability and transparency.

National Security Arguments and Economic Promises

Backers of the project defend the development as a vital asset for American economic competitiveness and defense infrastructure. Kevin O’Leary told CNN on Friday, The potential of what we’re creating is so important for defense, for the economy. It should be, for everybody, a mission. We can’t let the Chinese beat us. Proponents assert that the development will support roughly 10,000 jobs during construction and 2,000 permanent positions while generating state and county tax revenue.

To address concerns regarding local electricity strains, the project plan includes building an on-site natural gas plant to power the data center, according to O’Leary’s statements to CNN. The facilities are expected to serve clients working on national defense for the United States government and technology contractors. Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated at a press conference that while data centers are important, they are not the primary source of state economic development, though he reaffirmed that their expansion remains a national security priority.

The Referendum Effort and Nationwide Pushback

Box Elder County Clerk Marla Young confirmed to CNN that a voter group applied this week to place a referendum on the November ballot to overturn the county commission’s approval. The application, which was initially reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, requires more than 5,000 signatures and is currently undergoing legal review.

This regulatory friction mirrors broader resistance across the United States, where communities near proposed data center sites are organizing pushback over environmental and resource impacts. Developers are racing to manage public concerns amid fears that project delays could hinder national artificial intelligence capabilities. Developers hope to begin early work on the Box Elder County site in the fall, while opponents continue their push to secure a public vote.