Furious locals in southern data center boom town wage war against tech firms 'eating up their land'

Residents in a town experiencing a tech boom are expressing their frustration as Silicon Valley giants continue to expand their presence, leading to the rapid development of massive data centers.

According to the Wall Street Journal, companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Elon Musk’s X are all vying for space in Atlanta’s real estate market, sparking concerns among the local community.

Shocking new figures reveal data center construction exploded by a whopping 76 percent in just six months, according to real estate firm CBRE.

David Guarino, a data property analyst at Green Street, highlighted the significant growth the town has witnessed in recent years, catching many residents off guard with the scale of development.

City officials have banned new data facilities near transit stations after locals protested over big tech turning their communities into computer warehouses.

‘I think the city is recognizing that data centers, while they provide some value to abandoned office buildings, they don’t really, long-term, add to the city’s vibrancy or housing,’ Matthew Garbett, a member of the Adair Park Neighborhood Association, told the Wall Street Journal.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized that Data Center development ‘cannot be prioritized over people-centered urban development’ in a letter addressing the legislation.

He specifically emphasized the importance of ‘affordable housing, quality jobs, and neighborhood retail.’

But experts predict Atlanta’s data center power usage will continue to skyrocket to a shocking 4,000 megawatts by 2028 – that’s thirty times more than in 2012.

Experts predict Atlanta's data center power usage will continue to skyrocket to a shocking 4,000 megawatts by 2028 - that's thirty times more than in 2012. Pictured: The QTS data center complex under development in Fayetteville, Georgia

Experts predict Atlanta’s data center power usage will continue to skyrocket to a shocking 4,000 megawatts by 2028 – that’s thirty times more than in 2012. Pictured: The QTS data center complex under development in Fayetteville, Georgia

Matthew Garbett, a member of the Adair Park Neighborhood Association, has spoken out against the data centers

Matthew Garbett, a member of the Adair Park Neighborhood Association, has spoken out against the data centers

As Atlanta’s battle continues, other cities are taking notice.

Fairfax County, Virginia – another data center hotspot – has already followed suit with its own ban on facilities near rail stations.

But data center companies remain defiant.

‘Nobody wants zoning issues, challenges to their development,’ said Chris Gatch, an executive at DC Blox, which is pushing ahead with two new suburban facilities despite the controversy.

Meanwhile, residents like Garbett point to success stories of community-focused development: a former school transformed into affordable housing, and an old shelving factory now buzzing with apartments, offices and shops. 

Still the tech growth shows no signs of slowing down throughout the country. 

Musk’s X recently secured a $10 million tax break for expansion, while Amazon Web Services is pouring $10 billion into new data centers near Jackson, Mississippi.

Furious residents have pushed back against Silicon Valley giants 'eating up' their neighborhoods for massive data centers

Furious residents have pushed back against Silicon Valley giants ‘eating up’ their neighborhoods for massive data centers

City officials have banned new data facilities near transit stations after locals protested over big tech turning their communities into computer warehouses

City officials have banned new data facilities near transit stations after locals protested over big tech turning their communities into computer warehouses

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized that Data Center development 'cannot be prioritized over people-centered urban development' in a letter addressing the legislation

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized that Data Center development ‘cannot be prioritized over people-centered urban development’ in a letter addressing the legislation

He specifically emphasized the importance of 'affordable housing, quality jobs, and neighborhood retail'

He specifically emphasized the importance of ‘affordable housing, quality jobs, and neighborhood retail’

Residents of Ashburn, Virginia, home to an extraordinary 70 percent of the world’s web traffic, were also furious when the town’s several data centers ‘ruined their neighborhood.’

The six-square-mile town, with a population just over 45,000, sits in Loudon County, became the epicenter of a raging battle to prevent the state’s countryside from being swallowed up by the internet in July.

Virginia is currently home to the nation’s largest data center market with 51 million square feet of the massive groupings of networked computer servers – and there is another 58.6 million planned.

Officials in nearby Culpeper County came up with a plan in 2021 to invite data centers into the area to meet the huge demand while safeguarding the landscape and residential appeal.

It approved plans to turn pasture land into its sixth data hub during a vote last week, leaving locals angry.

The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors agreed to transform farmland into a data center that stretches across 1.5 million square feet.

Millions of acres of American farmland are being lost to urban development but one state in particular is seeing its countryside destroyed by the internet

Millions of acres of American farmland are being lost to urban development but one state in particular is seeing its countryside destroyed by the internet

Social media giant Meta has unveiled plans for a massive data center which will bring 1,000 jobs to a rural county in America's heartland

Social media giant Meta has unveiled plans for a massive data center which will bring 1,000 jobs to a rural county in America’s heartland

They voted to approve the sprawling Red Ace Data Center campus by a tight 4-3 vote despite complaints from locals about potential noise, traffic, energy capacity and wells running dry.

‘These data centers will definitely destroy the county,’ resident Don Haight said, according to The Washington Post.

You May Also Like
Selma Blair shares unbelievable health update amid years-long MS battle

Selma Blair provides incredible update on her health after battling MS for years

Selma Blair shared a positive update on her battle with Multiple Sclerosis,…
‘North Of North’s Dogsledding Fetish Sex Scene Is One Of A Kind — And Even Had Star Anna Lambe Feeling “Mortified”

“Unique Dogsledding Sex Scene in ‘North Of North’ Leaves Star Anna Lambe Feeling Embarrassed”

It might be cold in Ice Cove, Nunavut — but North of…
Bain, member of K-pop group Just B, comes out as gay on final stop of band's world tour

Bain from the K-pop group Just B reveals he is gay at the last show of the band’s global tour

Bain, a 23-year-old member of the K-pop boy band Just B, came…
Watch 'Francis: The People's Pope'

View the documentary ‘Francis: The People’s Pope’

The ABC Owned Television Stations are highlighting local communities across the country…
Trump’s goodwill tested as Putin ignores peace efforts during Witkoff's visit

Putin’s disregard for peace efforts poses a challenge to Trump during Witkoff’s visit

President Donald Trump’s patience is being tested by Russian President Vladimir Putin,…
Illegal Alien Soccer Coach Charged With Sexually Assaulting, Murdering Player Refused Background Checks

Soccer Coach Without Legal Permission Accused of Assaulting and Killing Player Denied Background Checks

After 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez was sexually assaulted and killed, allegedly by…
Will There Be A Season 3 of ‘NCIS: Sydney’?

Is Season 3 of ‘NCIS: Sydney’ Confirmed?

The season finale of NCIS: Sydney will be on Friday, April 25,…
James Robinson, Angel Contreras charged in attempted murder of off-duty Chicago officer in 2024 Morgan Park shootout, police say

Angel Contreras and James Robinson accused of attempted murder of an off-duty Chicago officer during a shootout in Morgan Park in 2024, according to law enforcement officers.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Two men have been charged after an attempted robbery…
Tutor Christina Formella charged for sexually abusing teen student at Downers Grove South HS, police say

Man faces aggravated assault charges for attempting to set co-worker on fire using Lysol flamethrower in Tomball, Texas

A man in Tomball, Texas, has been arrested for trying to set…
Democrats' New Scheme to Bully El Salvador Into Sending MS-13 Gangbanger Garcia Back to U.S.

Democratic Plan to Pressure El Salvador to Return MS-13 Gang Member Garcia to the United States

When it comes down to it, Democrats are essentially seen as typical…
Massive blow to Trump as Japanese car giant moves manufacturing OUT of US in tariff twist

Huge setback for Trump as Japanese car company shifts production AWAY from US due to tariffs

President Donald Trump’s tariffs just cost America a chunk of Canadian business.…
Pope Francis' funeral schedule, what to expect from the Novendiali, a 9-day period of prayer, mourning

“Pope Francis’ Funeral Schedule: A Guide to the Novendiali Period of Prayer and Mourning”

Pope Francis’ funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in local…