Salem Residents Oppose Proposed $5.1 Billion Data Center
Hundreds of residents gathered at the Salem Public Library on July 27, 2026, to express opposition to a proposed $5.1 billion data center by California-based company Verrus. The data center is planned for industrial land in southeast Salem's Mill Creek Corporate Center. The meeting, held in Loucks Auditorium, reached capacity, with additional attendees in an overflow room and outside the building. Residents voiced concerns about environmental impacts, such as water and energy consumption, and questioned the project's economic benefits, citing the creation of only 75 permanent jobs. The project has been under discussion since March 2025, following a non-disclosure agreement between Salem and Verrus. 
