Rural Data Centers Fuel AI Growth and Community Concerns

As artificial intelligence drives demand for computing infrastructure, technology companies are expanding data center construction into rural America, where large tracts of land offer room for development but residents are questioning the costs to their communities. Discussions in Utah and Minnesota have highlighted concerns about electricity demand, water supplies, noise and farmland, alongside expectations of new jobs and tax revenue.

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 67% of more than 1,500 data centers under development earlier in 2026 were planned for remote areas. In Utah's Millard County, a proposed campus in Delta could cover more than 1,000 acres and consume over 10 gigawatts of electricity at full capacity, according to FOX 13 News. That demand would exceed twice the electricity currently needed across the state.

Mark White, a University of Illinois professor who studies rural data center development, said modern facilities can require 500 to 800 acres, making rural locations attractive to companies seeking to build quickly. He also identified potential benefits for communities that have lost major employers, including jobs, tax revenue and replacement uses for former industrial sites.

White said, "For a lot of these companies, they want to move quickly," and explained that competition for suitable sites is influencing location decisions.

He added, "Because they feel as if they're in a race. And so certainly looking to places where you can find, you know, greenfield land where you can come in and just build something kind of quickly, I think they see an advantage in that."

White cautioned that local circumstances matter, noting that replacing a closed, water-intensive industrial facility with a data center could sometimes be less disruptive than establishing a new development. However, he said rural residents can feel the effects of major projects more directly than people in metropolitan areas.

White said, "If you're in a more rural part of the country, a big development can really impact your way of life," adding that the consequences may feel closer to residents than comparable development in a large city.

In Millard County, local officials have expressed optimism about economic opportunities, while other residents question whether projected benefits will outweigh environmental costs. Fillmore City Council member Dennis Alldredge acknowledged the concerns surrounding the proposals.

"It's real; there is a lot of concern," Alldredge said, emphasizing the need to protect residents and local land.

Alldredge said the developments could create well-paying employment in a county of approximately 13,000 people. Millard County Commissioner Bill Wright said local rules were intended to ensure the projects benefit residents, including through potential property tax reductions.

Wright said, "We've tried to look at the future and tried to set laws and ordinances and rules and regulations whereby the data centers will be a contributor to our county in a positive way and not a contributor in a negative way."

He added, "If a data center can't benefit every single resident in our county – whether they work there or not – they are not necessary for us."

Howard Quackenbush, a physical therapist and candidate for the Millard County Commission, said the scale of the proposed Delta development initially concerned him. He estimates that about 20% of people he has encountered oppose the Creekstone and Joule projects, around 40% are waiting to see what happens, and the remainder are enthusiastic about the possibility of bringing younger residents back through improved employment opportunities.

Homeowner Brenna Williams, who lives near the Joule project part-time and also spends time near the Stratos project in Box Elder County, questioned the promises made by developers.

"Data centers are known for overpromising and underdelivering," Williams said.

She warned that Millard County's water resources could face additional pressure, describing the region as experiencing a more severe drought than the area where she also spends time.

Concerns extend beyond proposed rural campuses. In West Jordan, Utah, residents living near an Aligned Data Centers campus say generator noise has disrupted their sleep and made their yards difficult to use. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that three data centers occupy the site, where construction followed a land purchase in 2018.

Resident Susan Jurges said she initially accepted the loss of her mountain view after the facilities were built. The intermittent generator noise, however, became harder to tolerate.

"It's really difficult to live in my house and yard when they're on," Jurges said.

She added, "I literally just leave my house."

Neighbor Theresa Sorensen said the noise has affected residents who have lived in the area for more than 30 years. She also reported a significant decline in her property's value despite rising property taxes.

Sorensen said, "You're comparing apples to oranges," referring to comparisons between the Aligned campus and another West Jordan data center operated by Novva.

Aligned Data Centers said it commissioned an independent sound study and uses backup generators for emergency power, testing and maintenance. The company said it takes residents' complaints seriously and will continue working with the community to address sound concerns.

The Salt Lake County Health Department confirmed that it had received four formal noise complaints since August and opened an investigation. County rules limit excessive noise during nighttime hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., as well as setting daytime limits. Officials expected the investigation to conclude in November 2026.

Meanwhile, rural residents in southern Minnesota voiced similar reservations during a September 29 Rural Voice town hall moderated by MPR News host Kerri Miller in Faribault. Participants questioned whether technology companies could be trusted to protect local resources and invest responsibly in the communities hosting their facilities.

The discussion reflected a broader tension surrounding the AI infrastructure expansion: rural areas can offer the land and development opportunities companies need, while communities face decisions about how to manage electricity demand, water use, environmental effects and the distribution of economic benefits.