US Towns Intensify Debate Over AI Data Centers

The rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers across the U.S. is sparking contentious debates in both rural and suburban communities, with new locations such as Augusta Township, Michigan, and Mooresville, North Carolina, joining the fray. Residents in these areas are organizing to oppose projects over environmental concerns, infrastructure strain, and threats to rural character, despite assurances of economic benefits like increased tax revenue and job creation. Some communities, including Monroe County, Georgia, and Londonderry Township, Pennsylvania, have postponed or denied rezoning requests due to opposition and calls for better regulations. In contrast, Millard County, Utah, has approved a large data center project, prioritizing economic gains amid resident unease. These disputes underscore national challenges for the industry, such as strained power grids, supply chain delays, labor shortages, and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. Municipalities are now racing to update ordinances to better manage data center growth and balance economic development with community preservation.