"In Archbald, incoming developers have threatened to erect six separate data center campuses to power the tech industry's insatiable demand for AI computing power. The proposals encompass 51 separate warehouses, each the size of a Walmart Supercenter at 4 to 6 acres a pop."
"The payoff is dubious. Data centers don't typically end up employing very many people, and place major strain on municipal resources, not to mention the local energy grid."
"THE PUBLIC TRUST HAS BEEN VIOLATED. Borough governance must be conducted in the interest of the public, not shaped in private by the interests of developers seeking approvals."
"Archbald borough council leadership went through a dramatic purge in March, when the president, vice president, and president pro tem were ousted by the remaining council members, met with a standing ovation from Archbald residents."
Tech companies are increasingly purchasing land in small rural communities, particularly in Archbald, Pennsylvania, for data centers. The town, with a population of 7,000, faces proposals for six data center campuses that could occupy 14 percent of its area. These facilities are driven by the demand for AI computing power and are strategically located near a nuclear power plant. However, data centers often provide few jobs and strain local resources. Residents have expressed strong opposition, leading to significant changes in local governance.
Read at Futurism
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