PROVO, Ut. — Following months of study, then a two-week delay, Spanish Fork City leaders decided not to amend Title 15, at least for another two weeks.
That would have opened the door for the Provo-based Volition company to begin the process of building a data center near the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon. City Council members didn’t make their final decision until about 12:15 Wednesday morning.
Currently, at the site of the proposed data center, sits a massive warehouse that is likely going to be sold. Other potential options for the site are a distribution hub, a fulfillment center, or a cement plant.
Volition claims they will provide high-paying jobs during and after construction and pump millions of dollars of tax revenue into the local economy. But now, with another delay, Volition said they may have to seek a new community to build their data center.
The mayor and council have been reviewing the pros and cons of a proposed data center for months, weighing if it’s in Spanish Fork's best interest.
Nearly two dozen residents provided public comment on the matter, with the majority asking questions like: What’s the rush? Why now? And how can we trust the company will do as they say?
Leaders are taking it all into account before making a decision overnight.
Spanish Fork Mayor Mike Mendenhall read the final vote.
“I so appreciate the discussion, appreciate the questions and again appreciate the public involvement tonight," the mayor said.
According to company officials, the proposed project would be a billion-dollar, self-powered data center that would generate between 250 and 400 Megawatts of its own power using natural gas.
Volition executives said they would not be drawing off the local power grid or emitting excess heat, noise, and air pollution.
Under the possible Title 15 amendment, city officials would be tasked with oversight.
