Thanks for the reporting on Project Blue! I've been very dissatisfied by the discourse around it. I agree that we need to allocate our natural resources very carefully, and I had no idea about this tax exemption that could keep Pima County from benefiting as much as they could from Project Blue.
In my opinion, the discussions needs to be less about whether or not Project Blue should be allowed, and more about what we should be able to get out of Project Blue if it happens. If Beale really means what they say in the "why Arizona" slide of their PR presentation, then we should be looking to extract as much value out of the data centers as possible. Also, we need to be talking about the resource use in context. Is $750 per acre foot a good cost? Should that just rise with inflation, or should it rise faster than inflation? Also how else can we tax Project Blue? It just seems like there will be a massive amount of money flowing through that project and we need to make sure as much as possible actually flows into Tucson.
They're flocking to Arizona for the sales tax exemption they're getting from the state. That and because our community leaders aren't too bright.
It doesn't matter to Project Blue, if our residential electrical costs go thru the roof & we end up with water shortages.
The data centers are enormously profitable. They can afford to pay much higher prices for electricity than homeowners can. Water prices don't matter to them either.
People who live in Tucson will be the losers on any deal that's made with Project Blue. They have very deep pockets and we do not!
Thank you the picture of Ciscomani working at QT. He's obviously a man of the people (lol), except for that town hall he refuses to have in Tucson, and all those votes he cast to gut healthcare for rich people's tax breaks.
Excellent reporting on Project Blue. It's scarey that the mayor and several city councilors are still waffling on Project Blue.
$65,000 jobs are not highly paid AI or tech jobs. These are 24/7 shift jobs for people to provide security and to maintain & operate acres of huge servers.
Arizona's public teachers average $65,113/year! And, Arizona's pay for teachers is low compared to most other states.
I believe Project Blue has committed to only 75 long-term jobs and has "talked" about 180 long-term jobs.
To put that in perspective TUSD has 16 schools and departments that each have more than 75 long-term jobs. 4 schools & departments have far more than 180 long-term employees. You know, 248, 298, 300, and 361 long-term employees.
Tucson can't afford "economic development" that provides only a very small number of jobs at a very high cost in terms of water and higher electric costs.
Enjoy your cooler vacation weather. Here in Toronto, the political climate is also cooler: even the right-wingers in Canada seem to despise the current U.S. government now. I am trying my best to boycott American products, but not ones I have already paid my subscription fees to.
I know a Zonie who moved up there. He and his family like it except the winters (of course). He can work from home and they take advantage of cheap plane flights to warmer climes a couple of times through the winter.
Thanks for the reporting on Project Blue! I've been very dissatisfied by the discourse around it. I agree that we need to allocate our natural resources very carefully, and I had no idea about this tax exemption that could keep Pima County from benefiting as much as they could from Project Blue.
In my opinion, the discussions needs to be less about whether or not Project Blue should be allowed, and more about what we should be able to get out of Project Blue if it happens. If Beale really means what they say in the "why Arizona" slide of their PR presentation, then we should be looking to extract as much value out of the data centers as possible. Also, we need to be talking about the resource use in context. Is $750 per acre foot a good cost? Should that just rise with inflation, or should it rise faster than inflation? Also how else can we tax Project Blue? It just seems like there will be a massive amount of money flowing through that project and we need to make sure as much as possible actually flows into Tucson.
They're flocking to Arizona for the sales tax exemption they're getting from the state. That and because our community leaders aren't too bright.
It doesn't matter to Project Blue, if our residential electrical costs go thru the roof & we end up with water shortages.
The data centers are enormously profitable. They can afford to pay much higher prices for electricity than homeowners can. Water prices don't matter to them either.
People who live in Tucson will be the losers on any deal that's made with Project Blue. They have very deep pockets and we do not!
Enjoy your summer vacations! Very well deserved, and it looks like ya’ll are going to cooler climates.
Thank you the picture of Ciscomani working at QT. He's obviously a man of the people (lol), except for that town hall he refuses to have in Tucson, and all those votes he cast to gut healthcare for rich people's tax breaks.
Enjoy your vacations.
Great picture of Juan Ciscomani. He hasn't looked that happy in quite some time.
MAGAt Juan finally found a job that fits his skill levels!!!
And I hope he's really unhappy after November 2026.
Excellent reporting on Project Blue. It's scarey that the mayor and several city councilors are still waffling on Project Blue.
$65,000 jobs are not highly paid AI or tech jobs. These are 24/7 shift jobs for people to provide security and to maintain & operate acres of huge servers.
Arizona's public teachers average $65,113/year! And, Arizona's pay for teachers is low compared to most other states.
I believe Project Blue has committed to only 75 long-term jobs and has "talked" about 180 long-term jobs.
To put that in perspective TUSD has 16 schools and departments that each have more than 75 long-term jobs. 4 schools & departments have far more than 180 long-term employees. You know, 248, 298, 300, and 361 long-term employees.
Tucson can't afford "economic development" that provides only a very small number of jobs at a very high cost in terms of water and higher electric costs.
Enjoy your cooler vacation weather. Here in Toronto, the political climate is also cooler: even the right-wingers in Canada seem to despise the current U.S. government now. I am trying my best to boycott American products, but not ones I have already paid my subscription fees to.
I’ll be northern Wisconsin/Minnesota for my trip. Maybe I should bring my passport and stock up on someone delicious snacks. 😇
I know a Zonie who moved up there. He and his family like it except the winters (of course). He can work from home and they take advantage of cheap plane flights to warmer climes a couple of times through the winter.
Bone Voyaggie.