Kevin O’Leary’s Data Center Plans in Utah Face Criticism and Call for Transparency
Investor and “Shark Tank” personality Kevin O’Leary is under scrutiny for his ambitious plans to establish a massive data center in Utah. Despite initial setbacks, O’Leary is committed to improving communication with local residents and addressing environmental concerns.
In a recent interview with MS NOW, O’Leary admitted to mishandling the communication strategy for the Stratos data center project planned for Box Elder County. “I have no interest in causing an environmental disaster on my legacy,” he assured, emphasizing his commitment to the community’s concerns.
O’Leary and his team are now focusing on transparency, aiming to clearly convey the potential environmental impacts of the proposed one-gigawatt facility, including its heat, noise, and water usage.
Initially, the Stratos data center was intended to span 40,000 acres, requiring up to nine gigawatts of energy. However, this proposal faced backlash from local residents, environmentalists, and lawmakers. Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams even requested a 75% reduction in the project’s scale in an open letter to O’Leary.
In response to the criticism, O’Leary pledged to downsize the project and increase transparency about its construction. “If I’ve said anything that offends you, yes, I apologize. If I’ve done anything that you think has been unfair, I apologize,” O’Leary stated, while urging the community to keep an open mind about future plans.
Despite the challenges, O’Leary remains determined to proceed with the project, seeing it as a significant economic opportunity for Utah. He has been active on social media, emphasizing the importance of earning the community’s trust through transparency. “Data center developers have to earn the trust of the communities where we build, and that starts with complete transparency,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
O’Leary’s commitment to transparency includes sharing facts about the project’s impact on water, power, jobs, and tax revenue. He acknowledges the responsibility to become a valuable asset to the community for decades to come.
As of the end of 2025, 1,416 data centers have been built or approved across 45 US states and Washington, DC, according to Business Insider’s tracker.
Representatives for O’Leary Ventures did not respond to requests for comments from Business Insider regarding the data center plans.
