By Pinal Post
Florence Town Council voted unanimously on June 29 to advertise for five members of a proposed Data Center Facility Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. The Florence data center committee will review environmental, infrastructure, public service, socioeconomic, land use, and economic development impacts tied to potential data center facilities.
However, the committee will not have authority to approve or deny any project. Instead, it will provide research and recommendations to the Town Council. Councilmembers Jose Maldonado and Tony Bencina proposed the panel. According to the agenda, both will serve as council liaisons.
Sponsors Describe The Florence Data Center Committee As Fact-Finding
During discussion, Maldonado told colleagues the committee’s mission would be fact-finding. “There’s a lot of talk out there about data centers, and our thought is, let’s create something that’s factual,” he said. Furthermore, Maldonado said the committee will “try to erase any myths that are out there.”
Bencina backed the proposal after attending an all-day Data Center Alliance of Arizona forum with Mayor Keith Eaton on June 25. Video of the forum is available online. According to Bencina, the event focused on “myth over fact” and how to work with residents. As a result, he said he learned in about eight hours how to establish and advance the ad hoc committee.
Meanwhile, Eaton said data center operators need to hear directly from residents. He pointed to a mix of good, bad, and wrong information circulating about data centers.
