Spanish Fork's city council recently approved an amendment to city code, potentially clearing the way for a new data center. This decision could allow a Provo-based company, Volition, to establish a data center within an existing warehouse situated at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon. The vote concludes several months of discussions and negotiations between city leaders and Volition regarding the proposed project.
The plan has drawn considerable attention from local residents, with some expressing concerns about the nature of a data center in their community. Teresa Wood, a local resident who learned of the proposal last month, articulated a common sentiment among some neighbors, suggesting that cities need protections when data centers seek to locate in their areas. She previously noted that while data centers might be necessary, communities may not want them in their immediate vicinity, drawing a comparison to unwanted facilities like dumps.
Wood expressed hope that the city council's approved amendment provides necessary safeguards for the community. These protections reportedly include requirements for energy grid isolation, restrictions on technology use, and caps on resource consumption. Madi Bringhurst, another resident who has been vocal about the project, believes the council has acted within its legal capabilities, stating her opinion that they have done the best they could within the available legal framework.
Following the council's vote, Volition CEO Jeff Chavez indicated a readiness to proceed with the project. Chavez previously considered withdrawing the proposal entirely. He outlined the next phases for the company, which include a couple more months of completing the engineering before moving into permitting.
City officials have confirmed that the data center project will follow standard development procedures. This includes the requirement for the city council to approve a site plan and a development agreement, which Volition is responsible for preparing. Once these approvals are secured, construction on the million-square-foot warehouse can commence.
Chavez provided estimates for the project's scale and economic impact. He expects the development to be a $3 billion endeavor. During the construction phase, he projects an influx of over a thousand trade jobs. Upon full build-out, the data center is anticipated to create around 300 operational jobs. The entire project is estimated to take up to three years to complete.
Despite these assurances and the council's amendment, some locals maintain their skepticism regarding the eventual outcome. Madi Bringhurst, for example, stated that her trust in Volition has not increased from six weeks prior. Chavez acknowledged these lingering concerns and expressed a desire to address any remaining issues as the project progresses. He also expressed hope that the data center would become a discreet presence in the community, noting that the company intends to be "pretty quiet over there, doing our thing."