"Data centers, which are large warehouses full of servers that power parts of the internet and increasingly artificial intelligence, infuse massive amounts of capital into communities and are much needed in rural areas where populations are declining."
"It has become a kitchen table issue, and it has become a very relevant political issue. Tech companies coming to build in their backyard is going to increase their bills, all of those things that ordinary Americans understand as impacting their affordability."
"I really don't understand why they would want to come into a community where they're not wanted."
Susan Bourgeois was appointed to lead Louisiana Economic Development and immediately received a proposal from Meta for a large AI data center. Data centers are essential for powering the internet and AI, providing significant capital to rural areas. The demand for AI and computing power is increasing, leading to a surge in data center construction across the U.S. However, this growth has sparked opposition due to environmental impacts and rising costs for local communities, making it a significant political issue ahead of elections.
Read at www.npr.org
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