In a recent LinkedIn post, Kevin O’Leary addresses concerns surrounding a proposed development project near the Great Salt Lake, aiming to clarify the scale and environmental impact of the initiative. O’Leary, known for his business acumen, sought to counter what he described as “ridiculous” claims about the project’s size and its potential to harm air quality.
O’Leary began by directly refuting the notion that the project would involve draining the Great Salt Lake. He stated:
“We’re not gonna drain the Great Salt Lake. That’s ridiculous. We are gonna create incremental jobs. This is not gonna destroy air quality because we don’t have the option to do that.”
He emphasized that the project is designed to create “incremental jobs” and would not compromise air quality, asserting that such environmental factors are strictly controlled by state and federal regulations. According to O’Leary, the primary goal is to set a precedent for future developments.
Setting a National Example for Development
A key theme in O’Leary’s post is his ambition for this project to serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country. He expressed a desire for this development to be a “shining example of how you do this,” suggesting a focus on transparency and responsible growth.
O’Leary further elaborated on the scale of the development, pushing back against comparisons that inflate its size. He highlighted:
“We’re not building 40,000 acres of data centers. That’s the size of the land parcel. So saying it’s twice the size of Manhattan is ridiculous.”
He clarified that the actual construction would be gradual and incremental, allowing for careful monitoring and public observation. This measured approach, in O’Leary’s view, is crucial for building trust and demonstrating the viability of the concept.
Transparency and International Observation
The post underscored the importance of transparency, with O’Leary noting that the project’s progress would be visible to observers both nationally and internationally. This open approach is intended to foster confidence and encourage wider adoption of similar development strategies.
As O’Leary put it:
“But in order to do that, we have to prove it… We’re building very slowly and incrementally, and everybody around us nationally and internationally can see what we’re doing. It’ll be totally transparent, and we want it to be the shining example of how you do this.”
By framing the project as a transparent, incrementally built, and job-creating initiative, Kevin O’Leary aimed to assuage public fears and present a vision for responsible economic expansion that he hopes can be replicated elsewhere.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Kevin O'Leary on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on May 8, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →