Data Centers and Oro Valley
Recently, AI data centers have become a major topic of discussion throughout Southern Arizona. With data centers approved by both the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the Marana Town Council, many Oro Valley residents have asked me for my stance on this issue.
I am against Data Centers in or adjacent to Oro Valley, and if elected, I will review our Town Code to see what can be done to address this issue proactively.
Could Oro Valley someday be asked to host a data center?
The answer is yes.
Oro Valley is adjacent to two large parcels of State Trust Land. One is the approximately 880-acre parcel along the Tangerine corridor west of Town, and the other is the Arroyo Grande property north of Oro Valley. The State Land Department's mission is to generate the greatest possible return from these lands, meaning they will ultimately be sold to the highest bidder for the highest value use.
As data center development expands throughout Arizona, these parcels could become attractive targets for technology companies seeking large tracts of land near metropolitan areas. Data centers often locate on the outskirts of major cities in suburban communities with access to fiber infrastructure, utility capacity, and low risk of natural disasters. Oro Valley fits that profile.
Data centers also tend to cluster within metropolitan regions. With neighboring communities already approving these projects, there is a realistic possibility that Oro Valley could face similar proposals in the future. Oro Valley also has greater water resources than Marana.
My Position is Clear
I am opposed to data centers in or adjacent to Oro Valley.
I do not believe they are compatible with the long-term interests of our community. Data centers place significant demands on water and energy resources while providing very limited direct benefit to existing residents. Few long-term jobs are produced, and the Town of Oro Valley does not assess a property tax. They can impact water supplies, increase energy demands, contribute to heat generation, and alter the character and quality of life that Oro Valley residents have worked hard to preserve.
Oro Valley's future should be built around protecting our community, improving our quality of life, and ensuring that resources are available for the residents and businesses that already call Oro Valley home.
I do not believe data centers help us achieve those goals.
Why This Election Matters
This issue highlights one reason why leadership matters.
If proposals for data centers come before Oro Valley in the future, residents deserve leaders who are willing to put residents first rather than accommodate projects that benefit outside interests.
I have never accepted contributions from developers or corporations. My loyalty is to the residents of Oro Valley and to protecting the community we have built together.
Unlike others, I have not been supported or endorsed by politicians who have voted for and publicly defended data centers in our region. Voters should consider that reality when evaluating who will best represent Oro Valley's interests if this issue comes before our community.
Protecting Oro Valley's Future
I first ran for office because I wanted to represent the residents of Oro Valley, not outside interests. That commitment has guided every decision I have made on the Town Council.
If the question of data centers is raised in Oro Valley, I will oppose them.
I will continue to fight to protect our water resources, our energy infrastructure, our quality of life, and the character of the community that residents have worked so hard to create.
Oro Valley is one of Arizona's most desirable places to live. I intend to keep it that way.