Data Centers Drive Economic Gains, Sparking Political Opposition

The Story

Counties hosting large-scale AI data centers have experienced economic benefits since 2024, including increased housing stock, rising home values, and job creation, according to a Wells Fargo Securities study. These counties have seen home values climb nearly 15 percent, compared to the national average of under 10 percent. Job growth in counties with operational 500-megawatt centers has reached approximately four percent, nearly four times the national rate. Housing stock in these areas has risen by nearly 50 percent, contrasting with a national negative growth rate. Despite these economic gains, opposition to data center proliferation has risen sharply across the United States. A nationally representative survey indicates increased American opposition to data centers in their communities since the previous spring. Lawmakers and candidates from both parties are increasingly positioning themselves as critics of data center expansion. Former President Donald Trump, however, has expressed support for data centers, a stance that has drawn criticism. CNN's Harry Enten noted that opposition to AI data centers is a rare issue cutting across party lines, geography, and ideology, yet Trump appears to disregard these concerns.

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