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Thursday, May 14 | ☀️ 97°/71°
Happy Thursday! And welcome to The Indio Post if you’re one of the Indio residents we met at that data center meeting on Monday! We’ve got the most comprehensive deep dive so far about the history of the project and how much money is already invested. That’s all down below, but if you didn’t make it out to the meeting and still want to voice your opinion, the city of Coachella will have this survey up until Monday, May 18 at 6 p.m. Check out the survey online in English and Spanish
🎶 Setting the mood: "Tokyo Traffic" by Dave Brubeck
Leading Off
Attendees of a public meeting about a proposed data center in Coachella make their voices heard outside the Boys & Girls Club Monday evening.Caption
Data center town hall turns contentious as residents from across the valley demand answers
A community meeting Monday night in Coachella meant to address concerns about a proposed data center left more than 100 residents frustrated, with many accusing city officials and project representatives of dodging direct questions.
Driving the news: The meeting focused on the Coachella Valley Technology Center Campus, a planned 450-acre project at Fillmore Street and 52nd Avenue that would be built in two phases. Phase 1 would include a 240-acre technology campus consuming between 270 and 300 megawatts of power — more than four times the entire city of Coachella's projected 20-year electrical load of 70 megawatts, according to city documents.
Context: The Coachella City Council voted unanimously Feb. 11 to approve a Municipal Utility Development Agreement with Stronghold Power Systems Inc., the project's developer. County records show Stronghold purchased the first three parcels planned for Phase 1 less than a month later, with a fourth added in October — bringing the company's total land investment to roughly $17.3 million.
During the February meeting, Stronghold's business operations director said the company expected to complete environmental review by year's end, begin construction next year and complete Phase 1 by 2029.
Yes, but: City representatives repeatedly told attendees Monday that no formal project application has been approved and no environmental impact report has been certified — a characterization many residents challenged given how Stronghold itself has characterized the data centers as an anchor tenant for the future utility.
What they're saying: Indio City Councilmember Oscar Ortiz, who attended the meeting, said he has asked Indio city staff to explore requiring projects with high water use, high energy demand or significant land impacts — including data centers — to go through a development agreement process.
Briefly
See a version of the city’s draft map online here.
⛽️ One year later, Indio moves to rein in gas stations, adds parks and youth centers to protection list
The Indio Planning Commission voted Wednesday to recommend the City Council adopt new regulations for fueling stations, including limits on where they can be built, expanded landscaping requirements, mandatory EV chargers, and fresh food offerings at convenience stores.
The draft ordinance would bar new stations within 700 feet of several major corridors and prohibit them adjacent to residential parcels, schools, childcare facilities, and senior care facilities. Commissioners added parks, community centers, and youth centers to that protected list before forwarding the measure to the council.
Details: The city currently has 31 fueling stations, including approved or pending projects. A moratorium tied to the rule-making process is set to expire June 18. A proposed restriction along State Highway 111 was removed pending tribal consultation and will return as a separate item.
🗳️ Indio Planning Commissioner enters District 4 council race
Felipe Ortiz, vice chair of the Indio Planning Commission, has announced his candidacy for Indio City Council District 4. The seat is currently held by Councilmember Oscar Ortiz, who is running in the June 2 primary for California State Assembly District 36.
Felipe Ortiz, a Colombian-born Marine Corps veteran who received an honorable discharge in 2020 with the rank of corporal, currently works for the California State Assembly. He also serves as a trustee for the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.
Details: Ortiz said Indio is building too many high-priced homes and not enough attainable options, and he would support zoning policies that encourage home-ownership and streamline approvals for projects serving working residents. On public safety, he said he would work to improve police response times and invest in street lighting and code enforcement.
📅 Featured events
brat night
Today | 6 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
X.tian spins tracks from Charli xcx's hit record "brat" all night.
Comedy Nights at Spotlight 29 Casino
Today | 8 p.m. | Spotlight 29 Casino
Chairman's Lounge hosts comedy shows, fight nights, and special events in an intimate setting. Tonight features Paul Villalobos.
Indio's Food Truck Fridays
Friday | 5 p.m. | Downtown Indio (Towne St. & Bliss Ave.)
Indio's weekly Friday tradition runs 5–10 p.m. with rotating food vendors, live music, family-friendly activities, and themed nights. Pet friendly.
Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez virtual town hall
Friday | 6 p.m. | Virtual
Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez hosts a virtual town hall open to constituents. RSVP required; Zoom link will be emailed upon registration.
Indio High School spring concert
Friday | 7 p.m. | Indio High School
Indio High School presents its final concert of the 2025–2026 school year with performances by the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Symphony.
Community Yard Sale Fundraiser
Saturday | 7 a.m. | Indigenous Cultural Center, 1030 6th St., Ste. 10
Danza Azteca Citlaltonac hosts a yard sale fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting the organization's Scholarship Fund. Vendor spots available; contact [email protected] to sign up.
Mercado Indio | Outdoor Vendor Market
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Mercado Indio
Weekly outdoor market with rotating vendors offering food, drink, handmade goods, jewelry, vintage finds, and gifts. Pet friendly — bring a blanket.
Coachella Valley Horse Rescue Open House
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Coachella Valley Horse Rescue
Spring open house with free guided tours, face painting, horse painting, a kissing booth, and a chance to meet the horses Mabel and Clay.
Indio Sports Park Grand Opening Celebration
Saturday | 10 a.m. | Indio Sports Park
The City of Indio celebrates the grand opening of the new 30-acre Indio Sports Park, Indio's 96th Birthday, and National Kids to Parks Day with games, activities, and giveaways for the whole family.
Morning Yoga
Saturday | 11 a.m. | Indio Public Library
Morning yoga at the Indio Public Library.
Chili Cook-Off benefiting the Wheelchair Olympics Team
Saturday | 2 p.m. | Indio American Legion
Bill Huntington VFW Post 3699 hosts a chili cook-off to raise funds for the local Wheelchair Olympics Team competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, with vendor booths and complimentary refreshments. ($5 veterans / $7 general public)
Lady A
Saturday | 8 p.m. | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Grammy Award-winning country group Lady A brings their multi-platinum hits to the Special Events Center. ($102–$202)
Blue Sunday
Sunday | 7 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
A listening session featuring John Coltrane's "Blue Train" and Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" played in full, followed by discussion. Focaccia hot sandwiches available 4–8 p.m.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
📣 And Finally …
Inmates at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe help get Riverside County dogs ready for adoption. (Photo: Riverside County Department of Animal Services)
Behind the walls of Ironwood State Prison, inmates help dogs learning to sit, stay, and trust, all to get them ready for adoption.
Driving the news: The Riverside County Department of Animal Services runs a foster program at Ironwood State Prison that pairs incarcerated men with shelter dogs, preparing the animals for adoption while creating space in overcrowded county kennels.
More than 40 dogs are currently available for adoption through the program, all spayed or neutered and available at no cost.
How it works: Dogs in the program learn to walk on a leash, sleep in a crate, eat on a schedule, and develop basic manners — skills that make them stronger candidates for permanent homes.
To adopt: Check out the adoptable dogs on their website here. Prospective adopters should email [email protected] with the subject line "Ironwood" for more information.
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