An ambitious push by U.S. President Donald Trump to rapidly expand America's network of artificial intelligence data centres is encountering unexpected and fierce resistance from a key demographic: his own supporters in the nation's rural heartland.
Rural Backlash Over Land and Resources
Fearing that the United States could fall behind in the global AI race, the Trump administration is aggressively promoting the construction of new data centres. However, this drive is clashing with the concerns of residents in traditionally Republican areas who see precious farmland being consumed and local resources strained by these massive, power-hungry complexes.
The administration's strategy involves fast-tracking development, often bypassing standard environmental reviews and community consultation rules to accelerate building. For the communities slated to host these centres, the consequences are tangible: increased pressure on water supplies, the permanent loss of agricultural land, and skyrocketing electricity bills for local residents.
Ground Zero: Montour County, Pennsylvania
The tension is vividly illustrated in Montour County, Pennsylvania, a stronghold of Trump support during the 2024 election. Here, more than 18,000 residents mobilized to oppose a proposed data centre project they believe would fundamentally alter their rural way of life.
The project, led by Talen Energy, aims to convert approximately 1,300 acres (5 square kilometres) of prime farmland—currently used for soybeans, corn, and livestock—into a sprawling AI data centre campus that could include up to 15 buildings. The complex would be built adjacent to Talen's existing 1,528-megawatt gas-fired power plant.
Opponents argue the loss of this farmland would deliver a severe blow to the local economy, particularly affecting agricultural processing plants that depend on produce from these very fields. Reflecting this concern, the county planning commission voted 6-1 to reject the necessary rezoning for the project, which faces a final municipal decision later this month.
A Clash of Priorities
For many long-time residents, the issue transcends politics. "I think it's a society that has forgotten about the small person, the people who live here, the farmers who are struggling with the economy," said 70-year-old Trump supporter Theresa McCollum in an interview with BNN Bloomberg. Her sentiment is shared by a growing number of voters who direct their frustration toward the deep-pocketed AI companies, rather than the President himself.
Pennsylvania has become a prime target for tech giants like Amazon, Alphabet (Google's parent), and Microsoft due to its reliable power infrastructure and comparatively inexpensive land. However, the arrival of these data centres has repeatedly led to the same suite of problems for host communities.
County Commissioner Rebecca Dressler, a Republican, summarized the local stance: "Small-town character defines our community. People aren't anti-development—they just want growth that fits who we are." This sentiment highlights the central conflict between national ambitions for technological supremacy and the preservation of local identity and economy.
The standoff in Pennsylvania signals a broader political challenge, demonstrating that even popular initiatives can falter when they directly impact the livelihoods and landscapes of a leader's core constituents.
