The Developer

Sebastian Rucci: the engineer building Imperial Valley's future

Sebastian Rucci is the founder of Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing (IVCM) and the driving force behind the $10 billion Imperial Data Center — the largest single private investment ever proposed in Imperial County. He brings over 40 years of experience in business development, land use law, engineering, and real estate to a project that could transform the valley's economy.

Credentials

The vision for Imperial Valley

Rucci didn't pick Imperial Valley by accident. IID's electricity rates are among the lowest in California at 9.3¢ per kWh, the region has abundant industrial land, and the community desperately needs the economic opportunity. The IVDC would deliver:

Setting the record straight: the Ohio years

Opponents have tried to weaponize Rucci's business history in Ohio. Here are the facts:

In Ohio, Rucci became the target of a politically motivated campaign involving state agencies. Criminal charges related to a nightclub were dismissed. A conviction for selling beer with an expired license resulted in 30 days served — a regulatory offense, not a credibility issue.

Rucci also operated California Palms, an addiction treatment center serving veterans and people in recovery. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) revoked certification after alleging staff violations. The FBI subsequently raided the facility and seized $600,000 — but the funds were returned in full with interest after Rucci challenged the seizure in court. The affidavit underlying that raid has never been publicly released, raising serious questions about the basis for the government's actions.

Fighting for Imperial Valley — in court and at the table

When the City of Imperial, environmental groups, and political actors coordinated to block the project, Rucci didn't walk away. He filed a federal civil rights lawsuit (Case 3:26-cv-00128) documenting alleged secret meetings, Brown Act violations, and coordinated efforts to sabotage the data center. The courts have consistently ruled in the project's favor.

Rucci has also been transparent about IID's role in the delays, publishing a public letter detailing how the IID General Manager demanded $4 billion in prepaid electric fees — a financial poison pill — and how the district delayed the facility study to prioritize politically connected projects linked to the Z-Global scandal.

Supporting new IID leadership

Rucci has publicly supported Carlos Duran for IID Board Division 1, calling him "an excellent candidate." Duran — a community journalist who has covered IID rate hearings, the Salton Sea crisis, and municipal government — shares the vision of responsible economic development that puts ratepayers first.

This isn't a developer buying a board seat. It's an alignment of interests: the community needs lower rates and jobs, Duran has the independence and track record to deliver accountability, and the data center is the vehicle that makes it all possible.