Gemstone Technology Park is a data center site developed by Diode Ventures, a US-based, employee-owned company. The potential project is on 620 acres in southeast Kuna.

Currently, Diode is working to finalize plans for power, fiber, water, wastewater and traffic. We will continue to listen and work with the community throughout the design process to ensure the project helps Kuna retain its local character.  

The project still is in its early stages, but the goal is to be as minimally disruptive to our neighbors and the people of Kuna as possible. Development will be phased to provide sustainable growth based on minimizing disruption to the area and the availability of the construction workforce. We also will use setbacks, berms and natural landscaping to create a physical barrier, minimizing the project’s visual impact on the surrounding area while ensuring privacy and security for the data center client and residents.  

Diode is committed to the communities where we have a presence. We are dedicated to fostering local prosperity through collaboration and engagement with residents, local officials, agencies and nonprofits.

Agencies, chambers, and economic organizations throughout Idaho undertook concerted efforts to attract data centers to the state because of the recognition of the community investment with a low developmental impact of these types of projects. Over the course of several years, this advocacy helped create a welcoming environment for IT infrastructure providers to set up shop, help grow the state’s technology sector and stimulate the creation of tech-related jobs. Diode identified Kuna as an ideal location and is working with local partners, leaders, community members, and stakeholders to identify needs and opportunities to provide local impact funding.

Gemstone Technology Park will bring many benefits to Kuna, Ada County, and the entire Treasure Valley.A: Gemstone Technology Park can bring numerous benefits to Kuna and the entire Treasure Valley:
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Community Investment: The project committed more than $40 million to supporting community services, including:  

• Kuna Rural Fire District - $30 million over 13 years to support new fire station staff
• Kuna Police - $10,000,000 contribution over 20 years to support additional staff
  
• Kuna School District - $500,000 to benefit athletics and technology funds

Jobs: Once construction begins, we expect the project to bring approximately 800 to 1,200 construction jobs to the community during the peak building process, as well as more than 100 high-paying, permanent jobs to operate the data center. This does not account for indirect and induced economic contributions from those construction and operation jobs, which often are substantial.  

‍Infrastructure: Projects such as Gemstone Technology Park can improve grid reliability, given the required grid upgrades as data centers rely on their electrical utility provider to minimize downtime.

‍Retain Local Character: As opposed to alternative development options for the land, a data center has low job density, allowing communities to maintain an intimate feel without straining resources. This means substantially fewer civic resources such as schools, fire protection and police are required compared to the demands of residential and other commercial developments.

‍Revenue: Gemstone Technology Park, which would require more than $1 billion in private investment, would provide substantial tax revenues to the city of Kuna, Ada County and the state of Idaho.

In coordination with Diode, Idaho Power has conducted a feasibility study to determine Gemstone Technology Park's power needs. As all large-load projects in Idaho are required, Gemstone Technology Park will assume responsibility for 100% of the costs solely associated with any upgrades required to interconnect the project to Idaho Power's system.

Diode worked with a local traffic engineer to complete a Traffic Impact Study, which included requirements and recommendations for safe conditions during construction and once the data center is operational. We are also working closely with the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to minimize impacts on citizens who live and work near the project. Our goal is to create the safest and most efficient traffic patterns around our project for the people of Kuna.   

While ACHD is reviewing the Traffic Impact Study, the agency told us that they will not require any permanent traffic mitigation measures. We are working out how construction traffic will be routed to minimize disruptions to neighbors. 

Data center design and development have evolved greatly over the past several years, including advances in noise and light mitigation. The design will incorporate LED exterior lighting that is DarkSky-compatible and can be adjusted for color and light level. Further, most lighting will be on motion detectors and timers to minimize use. External lighting fixtures can be limited to 30’ in height and focused internally on the site.   

Though HVAC systems and generators at the facility may create noise, there are proven methods to minimize their sound. Even though generators are rarely used outside of occasional testing and emergencies, the design will use custom enclosures that significantly reduce noise should the generators turn on. Additionally, sound barrier walls will be constructed, and noise-dampening materials will be incorporated into the structures to reduce noise that may be heard outside the facility. 

The land the project is on has historical groundwater rights for irrigation that will undergo a nature-of-use transfer to industrial use, resulting in a 33% reduction in the maximum allowable usage. The diversion rate will remain the same as it is today, but the total volume of water used will decrease.    

For wastewater, Gemstone Technology Park will not rely on City of Kuna utilities. All water will be treated. Cooling water outflow will be treated to drinking water standards. 

The Kuna Comprehensive Plan is a collaborative, guiding document to address the city’s evolving needs. Diode is confident that Gemstone Technology Park fits the vision of the Comprehensive Plan in the following ways:  
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‍“Economically Diverse and Vibrant”

• Contributes to diversifying the local economy and providing long-term, well-paying jobs.

“Desirable, distinctive and well-designed community”

• Respects Kuna’s small-town character and roots while supporting the city’s potential for a thriving economy.

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‍Development Goals:

• “Ensure land use in Kuna will support economic development.”
• Attracts higher-paying jobs in the technology industry via supportive land use and zoning designations.
• “Support development of a skilled, talented and trained workforce.”
• Project will help enhance local workforce skills and provide quality job opportunities during buildout and operations.
• “Attract and encourage new and existing businesses.”
• Project will create a shovel-ready site that will attract significant private investment.

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‍Land Use Goals

• ‍“Strategically locate and develop industrial areas.”
• Addresses the lack of technological infrastructure to support growth.
• Encourages local rapid investment and business growth.
• Conforms to health, safety and environmental standards.