By DJ Becker / The Madera News Nov 14 2026
Chowchilla officials and residents alike have been surprised by the discovery of a recent advertisement of a 100 acre property on Robertson Blvd being advertised by Gil Management Inc., for sale and use as a data center. Some other residents expressed shock, anger and disbelief at the prospect.
Gil Management of California was established in 2013 and invests, sells and manages properties locally and in the Central Valley. https://www.gilfamilycompany.com
The aerial video below promoting the site and project lists the access to the adjacent State Route 99, PG &E power substation and existence of a 12 inch natural gas line as infrastructure benefits for potential developers of a Chowchilla data center.
The proposed data center site is also near the residential, gated community of Green Hills, who have previously had concerns about their own water supply and access. Typical data center controversies and concerns by residents include noise, vibration, heavy power use, and increased water usage, and increased power costs among other complaints.
Chowchilla Mayor Kelly Smith said in an email response he was unaware of any project proposed as a data center in Chowchilla or on the 100 acre property, that no plans had been submitted to the Planning Commission or City Council and he did not believe a data center would be allowed to be built locally. “I don’t believe any communities in the Valley represent a good fit for such projects, but that is a decision for each of them to decide.” Smith said with recent state assembly actions now in force new data centers now require lengthy approvals, public discussion, and that local governments can still ban them.
Madera County Supervisor of District #2, David Rogers has not yet responded to a request for comment.
The Central Valley currently has approximately 34 known operating data centers of various sizes. 3 in Stockton, 3 in Modesto, 3 in Fresno, 6 in Bakersfield, and 19 in Sacramento, according to the website Datacentermap.com
Residents with questions or concerns about the 100 acre site being proposed for sale and use as a data center at this location should contact their local elected representatives. The next city council meeting for December has not been posted or updated on the city website as of today. The November 24th meeting was cancelled due to proximity to the Thanksgiving holiday.
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