Rural Americans Are Concerned About the Impact of Data Centers

A new Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey found that rural Americans are more concerned than urban residents about the expansion of AI-driven data centers. While respondents recognize potential economic benefits, many expressed concerns about increased electricity demand, water consumption, impacts on farmland and local infrastructure, as well as whether the jobs and tax revenue generated will outweigh the long-term costs to their communities. The findings underscore that support for data center development is closely tied to how well local benefits and resource impacts are balanced.

These concerns highlight the growing intersection of technology and rural economic development, creating opportunities for utilities, agricultural suppliers, construction firms, local governments and technology companies that can demonstrate transparent community benefits, responsible resource management and long-term investment in the regions where data centers are being built.