Could data centers turn Red America Blue?

www.americanthinker.com

It is expected that Republican migration from high-tax states to low-tax states will result in the 2030 census giving the Grand Old Party more representation in the House. Sounds good, right?

But it might just be a temporary shift due to the rapid growth of massive AI data centers in rural America. They are being built in so-called “flyover country.” As these colossal facilities are constructed, they will radically alter not only the landscape but the population. The Wall Street Journal offers an example from Wyoming, where multiple AI data centers are being built:

In America’s least populous state, companies must import armies of workers -- and find somewhere to put them. So local officials are weighing a developer’s pitch to erect a ‘temporary workforce housing complex’ for as many as 5,600 laborers and tradespeople. The complex would be larger than 84 of Wyoming’s incorporated cities and towns, according to state data.
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That same article highlights the drastic (and negative) changes to Wyoming’s beautiful Cheyenne.

That pastoral scene is gone: Heavy trucks, earth movers, and hundreds of construction workers have run nearly round-the-clock for about two years building a Meta Platforms data center. To the east, Microsoft recently announced plans to triple the acreage of its already sizable data complex. To the south, work is just getting started on Project Jade, which could one day be among the largest data centers in the U.S.
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Tech companies are specifically seeking rural areas for data centers since they have more land and fewer regulations. Additionally, tech executives appreciate the welcome mat put out by small-town officials who seek data centers to increase their town’s tax revenue. Wined and dined, these officials are shown colorful PowerPoint presentations filled with graphs that highlight all the money that will pour into “Mayberry” once the AI data center is up and running.

Yes, it is likely Mr. Mayor will see increased tax revenue, but will the increased revenue be worth it when the community is destroyed and much of the money is needed for:

· Building new roads, freeways, bridges, etc.

· Building new electrical grids.

· Building new water plants.

· Building new sewage plants.

· Building new commercial buildings.

· Building new residential homes.

· Building new motels/hotels for temporary workers.

· Building new schools.

· Building new hospitals.

· Expanding government services.

· Hiring more police to fight the crime that invariably comes when towns morph into cities.

Rural America might welcome AI data centers without realizing they are embracing the destruction of much more than their town’s pristine environment. They are likely destroying red states as the large influx of progressive AI data center employees turns The Bridges of Madison County into The Streets of San Francisco.

Robin M. Itzler is a regular contributor to American Thinker. She is the founder and editor of Patriot Neighbors, a free weekly national newsletter. Robin can be reached at [email protected].

Image: Chad Davis