Data Centers in Yuma

The community has been left in the dark about decisions which affect everyone, and there have been NO communications or community forums about data centers from elected officials. Transparency is demanded on this issue that affects every one of us and the future of Yuma County.

On May 21, 2026 a listening session was held by the community to listen to your concerns about data centers after repeatedly asking leadership to provide updates. The following information was identified by the 60+ participants.

We’ll be meeting again to discuss next steps to ensure our voice is represented on this decision

in the meantime, please contact elected officials and ask for a pause on this DEVELOPMENT until more is known

  • County board of supervisors

    • meeting on the first and third Monday’s at 9am

    • 197 s Main st, yuma, aZ

  • CIty of Yuma

    • meeting on the first and third Wednesday of every month at 5:30p

    • City Hall, 1 city plaza, Yuma, AZ

  • City of Somerton

    • meeting first and third Tuesday of the month at 7pm

    • Somerton city hall, 143 N. State Ave Somerton, AZ

  • CIty of SAn Luis

    • meeting every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 PM

    • City Hall Council Chamber, 1090 E. Union St., San Luis, AZ

  • Town of Wellton

    • meetings first Tuesday of each month at 6pm

    • Town Council
      28634 Oakland Avenue
      Wellton, AZ 85356

Data Center Facts and faqs

What are data centers?

AI Data Centers are incredibly large, climate-controlled, physical facilities filled with computers that run 24/7.

They consume a massive amount of power consumption (commonly gas-fired turbines that emit harmful pollutants or electricity that increases grid strain and rises electricity bills for residential consumers), and intense water consumption.

Even when developed with a “closed-loop system”, they require even more energy power and the water use must be treated with additives and metals which contaminate water, air and soil.

What are the concerns about data centers?

Heat

Water Consumption

Electric Grid Strain

Higher Utility Costs for Residents

Noise

Pollution

Yuma Data Centers Timeline

Late March–April 1st:

  • Community members uncovered public pre-development meeting notes (PDM-043606-2025) regarding data centers in Yuma

  • Information began spreading on social media that Mayor Nicholls and the GYEDC Director have been working through NDAs to bring Data Centers to Yuma without involving the community.

April 4:

  • In a letter to the public on Facebook, Mayor Douglas Nicholls stated there were no active data center applications or permits, but that data centers are interested in coming to Yuma

  • Letter also revealed his engineering firm previously had a contract with a data center to learn more about their process on obtaining permits.

April 10

  • Greater Yuma EDC held an informational session on data centers

  • Meeting was initially closed to the public

  • Concerned citizens who were present were allowed in  last minute

May 11: 

  • Community learned tribal leadership was in talks with data center developer

  • Had a last-minute meeting for tribal members only

  • They learned that the entire development process was already completed

Today:

  • Quechan Tribal community is still considering moving forward with their proposed development

  • No official contracts submitted in City of Yuma

  • Discussions between officials and developers are still happening

What’s the argument FOR data centers?

A common practice for data centers “advocates”is to state that they will “create jobs”.

Literature has proven this to be untrue, with events largest data centers only providing 18 full time jobs, most of which DO NOT go to locals.

Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp's Greg Lavon Data Center statement:

glavann@greateryuma.org

(928) 782-7774