Data center construction is sweeping across rural and small-town America, driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital storage. Developers are racing to lock down land, power, and water — and a small handful of counties now handle most of the growth.
A recent analysis shows just 33 U.S. counties — under 1% of all counties — now host roughly 72% of all data-center activity as of mid-2025. One vivid example: Meta Platforms’ massive “Stanton Springs” campus in Newton County, Georgia, sits on a 1,000-acre site with buildings the size of multiple football fields, and runs 24/7 to power social-media and cloud operations.
Local officials praise the economic benefits. Meta employs hundreds locally in HVAC, electrical, operations, and technical roles — boosting jobs, supporting contractors, and contributing substantial tax revenue that benefits public services. The arrival of data centers has triggered more investment: in some counties, companies like Amazon are simultaneously buying up acreage and launching their own data-center projects.
But not everyone is convinced the trade-off is worth it. Some local leaders warn that the rapid pace of development feels like “building the plane while flying it.” They express concern about long-term sustainability should the tech industry shift or demand change. Homeowners worry over effects on land values, community character, and potential blight if giant facilities are abandoned down the road.
Growing energy demand adds another major concern. Industry analysts estimate data centers could consume nearly 8% of all U.S. power by 2030 — stressing regional electricity infrastructure and driving power-grid investments.
The data-center boom reflects rising demand for AI and cloud services. But the consequences — from environmental strain to long-term economic and community risks — are real. Towns asking for jobs, tax revenue, and growth must weigh those gains against potential costs to power, land, and long-term stability.
