Imperial County locals speak against data center

IMPERIAL COUNTY.Calif(KYMA)- Imperial County residents had their voices heard today regarding a proposed data center at the board of supervisors meeting.

The room was full of locals that had signs that read “not in my back yard.”

Some locals voiced their concerns about the health issues the proposed data center could bring and the area the center will be in.

The planning and engineering consultant of the company who proposed this project says the area was designated for commercial use 50 years ago.

"If you were to look at the zoning map in the city of Imperial that was recently inside the recently updated service area plan for the city. It shows industrial land on the east side of the railroad tracks, running north and south along the railroad tracks industrial land belongs next to the railroad tracks and that’s why it’s industrial," said Tom Dubose, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing consultant.

Locals say they did not know about this data center and were informed by the city of imperial.

Locals are asking for transparency.

Karina Bazarte will have more tonight.