Data Centers, Development, and Growth
Utah has become a national leader in business, technology, and innovation because we have encouraged private enterprise and limited unnecessary government interference. I support responsible economic growth and believe Utah should remain open to investment and development.
All large projects, like the proposed Stratos data center in Box Elder County, deserve careful review—not because development is inherently bad, but because projects of this scale raise legitimate questions about water, power, infrastructure, and long-term resource use in our state.
Utahns are right to ask serious questions about:
- Impacts on water, energy, and local infrastructure
- Subsidies, tax incentives, or zoning exceptions granted to large corporations
- Transparency and accountability in the decision-making process
These concerns should be addressed openly and honestly.
At the same time, we should avoid the mistake of opposing development simply because it is large, new, or unfamiliar. Innovation, investment, and private enterprise have strengthened Utah’s economy and improved opportunity for Utah families.
The real question is whether these projects operate in a genuine free market—or through political favoritism and corporate welfare.
I strongly support the free market. If a data center can succeed while paying the full market cost of water, electricity, natural gas, infrastructure demand, and other local impacts, then that is the market working as it should. Development should move forward under clear, predictable, and equally applied rules.
What I do not support is shifting costs onto taxpayers, ratepayers, or local communities through hidden subsidies, discounted utilities, infrastructure giveaways, or politically tailored treatment. When billion-dollar corporations receive special favors unavailable to others, that is not free enterprise—it is corporate favoritism.
Utahns should not be forced to subsidize private profits through higher utility costs, increased infrastructure burdens, or resource risks that are not fully accounted for.
The standard should be straightforward:
- Transparent agreements
- Equal application of the law
- Real market pricing
- Strong property rights
- No special favors or corporate welfare
If projects like these create real value for Utah and can compete under fair and transparent market conditions, they should have the opportunity to succeed on their own merits.
Extra-Governmental Entities/Political Subdivisions (MIDA, PIDs, etc.)
These entities were created by the Legislature with specific goals in mind. Many operate through appointed boards that can impose taxes or fees without direct voter accountability. I believe taxing authority should rest with officials who are elected and accountable to the people they govern.
While the State has authority to create political subdivisions, their use should be limited to structures where citizens can directly hold decision-makers accountable at the ballot box, i.e. counties and municipalities.
If elected, I would sponsor and support legislation to repeal unelected taxing entities and ensure greater transparency, accountability, and local control. Government should remain limited, accountable, and constrained to its core responsibilities directly by the electorate.
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