Resident‑led group B.E.A.R. (Box Elder Accountability Referendum) has launched a petition to halt the Stratos Project data center in Box Elder County. The effort frames the development as a referendum, demanding that Utah families vote on subsidies for a facility that could strain water supplies and receive tax breaks. Organizers warn the project proceeds without public disclosure.

They argue the proposal offers unfair tax incentives while local businesses and farmers shoulder full costs. Water permits granted to the center clash with regional drought conditions, prompting concerns that new industrial demand will exacerbate scarcity. Critics also cite opaque decision‑making by the county and the Mountain Industrial Development Authority, which have offered no detailed impact studies.

The campaign, labeled Referendum 26‑11 and 26‑12, seeks to place two measures on the ballot that would block construction until transparent reviews occur. Supporters claim the initiative restores local control, forcing officials to disclose water usage projections, power requirements, and the true economic benefit. They stress that community consent is essential before committing public resources.

Organizers urge Utah residents to sign petitions, attend town halls, and vote in the upcoming election. Their message frames the data center not as a tech boon but as a potential burden on a drought‑prone region already tightening budgets. The referendum now serves as the community’s primary lever to demand accountability before any construction begins.