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data center road trip // day 2-3 - Port Washington has faced intense protests and a mayoral recall over their data center. residents cite environment and aesthetics, but are fine with the power plant in the middle of town - Mount Pleasant officials were relieved to have Microsoft build, filling the $100m+ debt hole left by the failed Foxconn project - the union guys are making bank, getting $100 cash per diems on top of 6-figure salaries, and farmers became decamillionaires selling their land - the huge numbers on data center deals make residents *more* suspicious, not less! I’ve heard less about AI than NDAs and council meetings: people are furious at local gov for “selling out,” giving tax subsidies, and blindsiding them - I’ve heard “I’m not a conspiracy guy but…” at least 4x. everyone thinks everyone else is being paid off
I’m spending the next week driving around Wisconsin and Michigan to get a firsthand view of the data center buildout and backlash am visiting sites, talking to tons of people — tradespeople, activists, planners, residents — then writing up a story lmk what questions I should dig into!
@jasminewsun glad to see you eating some honest to god midwestern slop