Apr 29, 2026
Kevin O'Leary's next big bet isn't on a Shark Tank startup. It's on a massive Utah data center project that could use more power than the entire state (1).
The proposed Stratos Project in Box Elder County would span roughly 40,000 acres and include hyperscale data centers, energy generation and related infrastructure. At full build-out, it would reach 9 gigawatts of power capacity. The entire state of Utah uses roughly 4 gigawatts, according to reporting by the Salt Lake Tribune (1).
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But the project has already hit a wall of local resistance. More than 80 residents packed a county commission meeting this week, with some carrying signs that read: "People before profits," "Where's the research" and "Say no to data center" (2). Under that pressure, Box Elder County commissioners delayed a final vote until May 4 (3).
For Utah residents, the fight is about more than one development. It's a preview of a much bigger question as artificial intelligence fuels a nationwide data center boom: Who pays the price when Big Tech's power needs arrive in your backyard?
Why the project is drawing national attention
The Stratos Project is being led by O'Leary Digital, a company owned by Kevin O'Leary, the Canadian entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor known as "Mr. Wonderful."
Supporters say the project could turn rural Box Elder County into a major hub for AI and cloud computing, while creating thousands of jobs and generating new tax revenue. The development is expected to create about 4,000 temporary construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs, according to project backers (3).
O'Leary has framed the project as part of a global race for AI dominance. Speaking to Utah's Military Installation Development Authority, he said the U.S. is in a race with China and praised Utah leaders for moving quickly (1).
That speed is part of what worries residents. County commissioners said they only recently learned details of the project, even though the proposal was already nearing final approval. Commission Chair Tyler Vincent said officials were brought into the process "in the last hour" (2) and expected to hurry.
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Why locals are pushing back
Opposition has centered on three concerns: power, water and transparency.
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Critics worry that the power needed for the project could put new strain on Utah's energy system, even if the development generates much of its own electricity on-site. Others are focused on water use (3), especially with the Great Salt Lake already under pressure (4).
Project representatives have said the data centers would use closed-loop cooling systems (3), which reuse water, and that long-term water demand would be closer to a large office campus than a traditional industrial operation.
Residents also object to the rushed timeline. Some say they didn't know about earlier opportunities to comment, while others argue that a decision of this size should not move forward without more research and public input (3).
Box Elder County commissioners ultimately tabled the decision (2), saying they needed more time to review the potential benefits and impacts. The project is still alive, but locals have made clear they want a bigger say before Utah commits to one of the country's most ambitious AI infrastructure projects.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
Salt Lake Tribune (1),(2); KSL (3); Brigham Young University (4)
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Clay Halton is a Content Editor at Moneywise.com. With a professional background in finance editing and writing, Clay specializes in making complex financial topics accessible to readers.
