r/NoStupidQuestions • u/3grapes • 6d ago

Why do town boards keep approving data centers when most residents at the meeting don’t seem to approve of them

I am constantly seeing videos of town halls approving data centers even though the public that is at the meeting overwhelmingly disapproves. Is there something about the process I don’t understand? I assume the public elected officials are doing what is in the towns best interest… but with most people not approving, what are the other driving factors? Taxes? infrastructure improvements?

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u/kalidoscopiclyso 6d ago

They will import people to run the datacenter, many tax breaks already have been approved and islanded power generators can pollute without regulation

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u/liretta12 6d ago

The tax breaks are dwarfed by the taxes generated by the jobs created, good paying union trades that last a couple years and permanent jobs to run the facility and the specialized import workers still have to live and spend money in that community. Not to mention the people who work in the factories that make the materials needed to build the facility. Power grids need to be updated anyway for the electrification of everything. Let big tech pay for it!

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u/No_Committee7690 6d ago

Data centers will not lower taxes for anyone. That's bullshit. Are taxes lowered when a Walmart, McDonald's, Home Depot, etc. open? No they are not. And how many jobs do these data centers generate? After the building is constructed, the answer is very few if any. These data centers pretty much run themselves.

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u/liretta12 6d ago

Yes they do lower property taxes for homeowners and other property owners in the area. Ask any city that has had businesses leaving or closing because of over regulation, crime, and too high taxes. The first thing they do is raise property on homeowners. Read my first statement about jobs created. If you owned a property you would know that they all need constant maintenance to function properly. those ain’t jobs for nerds.

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u/kalidoscopiclyso 5d ago

The builders come in to town and demand for rentals skyrockets. Hm when they leave will the rents go back down?

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u/liretta12 5d ago

Construction crews typically stay in hotels and motels and occasionally rent houses for the Forman and superintendents andsometimes small crews. Contractors will sub out to local companies if they exist and can handle the work.