A Historic Opportunity:
What the $10B Data Center Means
for Imperial County
The facts. The numbers. The future your community approved.
ourimperialvalley.com · February 2026The Economic Boom
The IVDC will create 1,688 union construction jobs — IBEW electricians, pipefitters, ironworkers — at $40–$65/hr prevailing wage with full benefits. Plus 100+ permanent high-tech operations roles and hundreds of indirect jobs across the region.
These aren't seasonal agricultural jobs or minimum-wage retail shifts. These are career-track positions with health insurance, pensions, and apprenticeship pipelines — the kind of jobs that let families stay in the Valley and build generational stability.
Designed to Help the Salton Sea
The IVDC was designed to run on reclaimed municipal wastewater — water that cities currently discard — rather than the Colorado River or IID canals. Under that original plan, the cities of Imperial and El Centro would supply recycled water; after the cities backed out of that arrangement, the developer has filed for a Colorado River supply as a documented last resort.
Built for recycled water, not the river. Even the contested river request — about 880 acre-feet/year, roughly 0.03% of IID's Colorado River entitlement — is less than the farmland the site replaces. The project was designed to help restore the Salton Sea at no public expense.
Funding Our Future
The recurring annual property tax from the IVDC will fund local schools, fire departments, municipal services, and community infrastructure — transforming the region's economy for decades to come.
| Time Horizon | Cumulative Revenue for Schools & Services |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | $28.75 million |
| 5 Years | $143.75 million |
| 10 Years | $287.5 million |
| 20 Years | $575 million |
Imperial County school districts operate with some of the lowest per-pupil budgets in California. This single project generates more annual revenue than many county bond measures — with no new taxes on residents.
Stop the Sabotage.
The county approved it. The court upheld it. 1,688 workers are waiting. $28.75M/year for your schools is waiting.
Demand the City of Imperial halt its administrative obstruction and embrace job growth.