Local & Community
Coachella Residents Pack Town Hall Over Proposed AI Data Center, Raising Alarms About Water, Power Costs, and Transparency
Residents clashed with city officials and developers Monday night at a town hall over a proposed AI data center campus in Coachella, with some opponents removed from the meeting after disrupting the presentation.
The proposal, led by Stronghold Power Systems, would place six data center buildings across 240 acres on the city's eastern edge near Fillmore Street and 52nd Avenue, totaling roughly 3 million square feet and operating between 270 and 300 megawatts of capacity. Developers have branded it the "Coachella Valley Technology Campus" and say it would generate $21 million in annual revenue and create hundreds of local jobs. Plans suggest the site could eventually expand to 450 acres.
Residents aren't convinced the benefits outweigh the costs. Resident Ash put the concerns plainly: "The amount of water that this project would use would further contaminate our water, and it would lead to less quantity of our water, and we already have a drought. The amount of energy that six data centers would need on 240 acres would create heat, use so much energy that our prices of electricity will skyrocket, and it'll cause so much air pollution." Though Stronghold claims the facility would use about 40% less water than the agricultural operations currently on the site, residents fear any additional strain on an already drying Colorado River. The site also sits about two miles from Valle del Sol Elementary School.
Resident Gabriela Manríquez, who was among those escorted out of the meeting after protesters disrupted the presentation, said the city's willingness to entertain the project at all is telling. "The fact that the city of Coachella is actually considering it is just showing that their intentions are not for the people of the valley," she said.
Coachella Mayor Dr. Frank Figueroa, who attended the meeting, said he is seeking clarity on the "specific language" buried in the development agreements. Terms like "Municipal Utility Center," which would allow for importing energy from outside the area, and the rebranding of the project as a "Technology Campus," have left both residents and officials feeling that the proposal's full scope has been obscured.
Stronghold Government Affairs Advisor Alex Rodriguez emphasized the project's long-term community investment: "The municipal utility, the P3 contract, is a 20-year contract, and once that contract terminates, everything we've invested in, infrastructure upgrades, a new fire station, five acres of land we carved out for that, all becomes part of the city."
The controversy deepened as campaign finance records show Stronghold Power previously donated to the 2022 mayoral campaign of former Mayor Steven Hernandez, who earlier this year pleaded guilty to felony conflict of interest charges.
The project still requires a full environmental impact report before any final approval can move forward. NBC Palm Springs will continue to follow this story.
By: NBC Palm Springs
May 12, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
A $557k budget shortfall … so why do they need $11.3 million in new taxes? Are you voting Yes or No on Measure P? #therogginreport #measurep #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
School board trustee wears “FAFO” shirt to court deposition. Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇🏽 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
Estevan Figueroa of King’s Club Barbershop is giving back across the Coachella Valley — one haircut at a time. He and his team recently gave dozens of free haircuts to kids at the Boys and Girls Club in Cathedral City. Figueroa also provides clothing, essentials and encouragement to people in need. Inspired by lessons from his father, he’s now started a nonprofit to help even more people in the community. “Look good, feel good.” @barbercipactli Read the full story at NBCPalmSprings.com.
9 months. 5 deposition notices. 1 no-show. What is this official hiding under oath? Let us know what you think in the comments 👇 #therogginreport #jesusgonzalez #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Tim O’Brien at the Coachella Valley Firebirds training camp!!
BREAKING NEWS 🚨: Murder Suspect Vicky Kim has made a court appearance for the first time in almost two weeks amidst medical delays and two refusals. Today she plead NOT GUILTY to all charges of killing her husband. She is set to appear October 7th for her preliminary hearing. Be sure to visit nbcpalmsprings.com for more information on this case. #breakingnews #courtnews #vickykim #coachellavalley #760
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Did you catch the bug that’s going around?
Talking With Thalia: GLP-1 medications have become a popular tool for weight loss, but what you eat while taking them matters, too. Local dietitian Jessica Brantley Lopez shares the importance of protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and hydration, along with why smaller, more frequent meals may help manage side effects and support healthy weight loss. Jessica also opens up about her own experience with GLP-1 medication and how it changed her approach to helping others. Talking With Thalia is sponsored by DAP Health. Watch the full conversation at NBCPalmSprings.com. #TalkingWithThalia #DAPHealth #GLP1 #WeightLoss #Nutrition Dietitian HealthToday CoachellaValley PalmSprings NBCPalmSprings
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are one step closer to completing their $110 billion merger after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general reached a settlement with Paramount. The settlement resolves the states’ antitrust lawsuit, though it still requires court approval. The agreement includes commitments involving film production, workers and editorial independence for CNN and CBS News. California AG CNN’s Brian Stelter reports. #Paramount #WarnerBrosDiscovery #ParamountMerger #CNN #Hollywood #Media #Merger #Entertainment