Kotek halts Salem-area Verrus data center land sale over local priorities

Gov. Tina Kotek ordered the withdrawal of Oregon’s land sale contract with Verrus for the Mill Creek Corporate Center data center in southeast Salem, saying state land should be managed to benefit local communities and align with Oregon’s priorities on affordability, responsible development and natural-resource protection. The $5.1 billion Oakline project, which would have created about 75 permanent jobs and generated tax revenue, faced protests and concerns about water use, energy, and infrastructure, leading to the cancellation. Verrus criticized the unilateral decision, while Salem officials mull a moratorium on AI data centers in the city.