Imperial County residents oppose a mega $10 billion data center project

Neighboring the U.S - Mexico border, the small desert community of Imperial County has gained bi-national attention due to a proposed $10 billion data center project near the City of Imperial, but many locals are opposing the project’s potential negative impacts, which overshadow the jobs and revenue the center could bring to the county. 

Imperial County —known for its agricultural production, scorching heat during summer months and connection to the Colorado River— has recently been introduced to the growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry by developer Sebastian Rucci, who is proposing a large-scale 330-megawatt data center campus. 

The campus is projected to operate hyperscale computing power and is speculated to serve as an AI and cloud computing hub for the world’s leading technology companies  —Amazon, Google, Meta or Microsoft, which would classify the Imperial Valley as the center of operations for the U.S. digital economy and the largest AI data center in California, according to Dr. Armando Reyna Ballesteros, coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Business Intelligence and Innovation at CETYS University, Mexicali Campus, a university south of the border. 

The center is also anticipated to add nearly 1,600 jobs and generate around $28 million annually once operational. 

The opposition, made up of residents and local authorities, have raised concerns over water and energy consumption, environmental impacts, proximity to residential areas — including three public schools — and lack of transparency in the authorization process. 

During an Imperial County Supervisors meeting in early April, members of the Laborers' International Union of North America expressed their support for the project. However, the majority of comments from the attending public expressed opposition, based on concerns regarding the environmental impact the project would cause.

Additionally, a lawsuit has been filed by the City of Imperial against Imperial County over the controversial data center campus. 

"Given the significant community interest and input, the City believes it is important that these issues are carefully and fairly reviewed and fully heard.” City of Imperial Mayor Ida Obeso-Martinez said in a press release. “The City of Imperial respects the Court's decision and appreciates that a schedule has been set for this matter."

Imperial County Superior Court Judge Anderholt set a trial date of June 25, 2026, for the City of Imperial's legal challenge to the proposed data center complex.

A representative from State Sen. Steve Padilla’s (D-Chula Vista) office issued a statement on his behalf, acknowledging the need to boost economic development in Imperial County but adding, “this project is not the way to achieve it.”