Pinal County rejects massive Vermaland data center project

Pinal County officials blocked the path forward for Vermaland’s La Osa Energy Center on Aug. 26 in a 4-1 vote.

BY HAILEY MENSIK/PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL

Aug 29, 2026, 6:31 AM

Pinal County officials blocked the path forward for Vermaland’s La Osa Energy Center on Aug. 26 in a 4-1 vote. (Photo via MASTER)

(Photo via MASTER)

A sprawling data center development in Pinal County that breezed through initial approvals has now drawn fierce opposition from residents. County officials blocked its path forward on Aug. 26 in a 4-1 vote.

The project in question – Vermaland’s La Osa Energy Center – was touted as the largest data center development planned in the state when it was first announced around this time last year.

The project site is roughly an hour drive south of Phoenix, near the city of Eloy.

Rezoning measures cleared Pinal County’s Planning and Zoning Commission in April but hit a snag with a wave of last-minute pushback as it went before the board in May — around the time Arizona leaders agreed to a three-year freeze on data center incentives.

This story is posted in partnership with Phoenix Business Journal. Click to read the full story here.