Farm Families Fight Data Center "Trojan Horse"

In Mason County, Kentucky, Delsia Bare and her 81-year-old mother, Ida Huddleston, are at the forefront of a community effort to halt the construction of a massive data center. The proposed facility would cover 2,000 acres of farmland, replacing natural landscapes with server warehouses. Initially, Bare had agreed to sell their 530-acre family farm for $26 million, but her mother's distress over leaving their log cabin and flower gardens prompted them to withdraw from the deal in July 2025.

This resistance comes as a major tech company, suspected to be Meta, aims to build a hyperscale data center. Developers have offered significantly inflated prices for the land, with some farmers accepting offers up to $26,000 per acre, far exceeding the usual $4-6,000. Dr. Timothy Grosser, a local physician, refused an $8 million offer for his 250-acre farm, citing concerns about light and air pollution, water run-offs, and tripling electricity prices.

The county planning board is scheduled to meet on April 22 to approve the plans. Local officials, like IDA director Tyler McHugh and city manager Matt Wallingford, support the project, promising 400 jobs and infrastructure improvements. However, residents remain skeptical, fearing these benefits are overstated and that the data center's infrastructure demands will burden taxpayers and the environment. Nationwide, public opinion on data centers is divided, with some states considering bans.

Despite pressure and non-disclosure agreements, a coalition of residents, including the 'We Are Mason County' group, are organizing opposition. They point to instances in other states where data centers have negatively impacted communities. Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky has stated his support for data centers, provided companies cover their power costs, pay fair taxes, and build community relationships, criteria many locals feel this project fails to meet.