LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A proposed data center in Boulder City is sparking a heated debate.
The site would be off the 95 and Roger Ray Road, which is about 10 minutes southwest of downtown.
WATCH: Reporter Mary Kielar breaks down plans for a proposed Boulder City data center
The developer promises the project will bring construction jobs and millions of dollars to the city. They also say the facility will use air cooling to protect local water supplies.
But many residents are pushing back. They worry the massive center will strain the power grid and rely on heavy tax subsidies.
Victor Sotelo asked, "How is this going to affect our residents here in Boulder City?"
While Bill Gang said "there's the question of technology," and that it's "moving so fast that this is going to be viable for maybe 20 years from now and what happens? Does the city get it's land back?"
Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill says leaders must weigh the long-term impacts.
"We are in a drought in case anybody wonders, and we have a real problem with electricity supply," Hill said.
"I think that we need to ask, is this the right use for the state of Nevada, especially because, yes, there is large job creation to build them, but once they're built, it's about 30 jobs," Hill said.
Voters will see a ballot measure about data centers this November. But residents say that measure excludes the exact land where this project would go.
But these data centers are not new, according to Lori Bird of the World Resources Institute.
"It's unprecedented," she explained, referring to the rapid growth of these centers across the U.S.
Developers "want to do these as fast as possible and they're trying to figure out where they can get access to power and water," she said.
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