Box Elder County - GoKawiil

Utah board approves Kevin O'Leary-backed Stratos data center project despite scrutiny

Kevin O'Leary promoted a 40,000-acre data center and gas power plant project called Wonder Valley (also known as Stratos) in Box Elder County, Utah, claiming it would become the world's largest data center with up to 9 gigawatts of on-site generation. The project moved forward through meetings with Gov. Spencer Cox and the Military Installation Development Authority in January, though county commissioners were not formally briefed until late March, after which their approval made MIDA the land use authority rather than the county.

theverge.com · 2026-10-01

Data center backlash turns violent: death threats hit officials in Michigan, Iowa, Utah

Local officials overseeing data center projects in Marshall, Michigan, Salix, Iowa, and Box Elder County, Utah, have reported credible death threats and safety concerns tied to their votes. Marshall's council faced threats after passing a building moratorium, Salix's leaders were threatened over a land annexation for a possible Google site, and a Utah commissioner now has police stationed at his home. NBC News reports this pattern is spreading nationally, with officials targeted regardless of how they vote on data center proposals.

tomshardware.com · 2026-08-23