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When Big tech datacenters come to small towns, it can be a big deal for the local economy. But it can also be a big adjustment for the community. Here’s what to expect.
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Introduction
The big tech companies are coming to small towns, and they’re bringing with them a new kind of economy. These companies are investing in data centers, which are large facilities used to store and manage electronic data. These datacenters require a lot of energy to operate, and they often create a lot of jobs for the locals.
The arrival of a big tech company can be a mixed blessing for a small town. On the one hand, it can bring much-needed investment and jobs. On the other hand, it can also cause disruptions that may not be welcomed by everyone.
This article will explore the impact that big tech datacenters can have on small towns. We will looks at the benefits and challenges that these datacenters can bring, and we will hear from locals who have firsthand experience with them.
Big Tech Datacenters and Small Towns
When big tech datacenters come to small towns, it can be a great thing for the local economy. These datacenters bring in high-paying jobs and can help to boost the local tax base. However, there can also be some downsides to having a big tech datacenter in a small town. Let’s take a look at both sides of the issue.
Big Tech Datacenters Bring Jobs and Economic Growth
Big tech datacenters are becoming increasingly common in small towns across the united states These datacenters bring jobs and economic growth to these communities, but they also have some potential downsides.
Datacenters require a lot of land and water for cooling, and they can generate a significant amount of noise and light pollution. They also tend to be located in rural areas, which can lead to increased traffic and congestion.
Overall, datacenters can be a positive force for small towns, but it is important to consider both the benefits and the potential drawbacks before making a decision to locate one in your community.
Big Tech Datacenters Can Be a Boon for Local Infrastructure
The construction of a new big tech datacenter can be a major boon for local infrastructure. The influx of workers and associated traffic can put a strain on roads, water and sewer systems, and other basic services. But with the right planning, these effects can be mitigated, and the local community can benefit in the form of new jobs, tax revenue, and improved services.
The Dark Side of Big Tech Datacenters
Big tech datacenters are often seen as a godsend to small towns. They bring in much-needed jobs and investment. However, there is a dark side to these datacenters. They can be a strain on resources, and they can drive up housing prices. Let’s take a closer look at the dark side of big tech datacenters.
Big Tech Datacenters Can Drive Up Housing Prices
The expansion of Big Tech datacenters across the U.S. has had a profound impact on small towns and rural areas. While the presence of these facilities can bring much-needed jobs and investment to these communities, they can also lead to gentrification and rising housing prices that price out longtime residents.
In 2018, Google announced plans to build a $600 million datacenter in Bridgeport, Alabama, a town of just over 8,000 people. The announcement sparked a housing boom in the area, with home prices rising by 25% in just one year. This has caused problems for many residents who are now being priced out of their homes.
google datacenter alabama
There are similar stories playing out in other communities across the country where Big Tech datacenters have been built or are being planned. In San Antonio, Texas, home prices in the vicinity of a new Facebook datacenter have increased by an average of 10% since the facility was announced in 2016. And in Prineville, Oregon, where Apple has two large datacenters, home prices have nearly doubled since 2010.
The influx of well-paid tech workers into these communities can also lead to displacement of lower-income residents and an increase in inequality. In many cases, the jobs created by Big Tech datacenters are not accessible to residents who do not have college degrees or specialized skills. And as housing prices rise, longtime residents are forced to move out of their neighborhoods and into other parts of town or even outside of town altogether.
Big Tech datacenters can bring much-needed investment to small towns and rural areas. But they can also cause gentrification and displacement that leaves many residents behind.
Big Tech Datacenters Can Displace Local Businesses
The dark side of big tech datacenters is that they can displace local businesses. When these large facilities move into small towns, they often drive up property values and rents, making it difficult for local businesses to survive.
There have been cases where big tech datacenters have been built on the outskirts of small towns, putting local businesses at a disadvantage. In some cases, the datacenters have been known to use eminent domain to force local businesses out of the way.
Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use. While it is typically used for things like highways and schools, there have been cases where it has been used for private projects like big tech datacenters.
There are also concerns about the environmental impact of big tech datacenters. These facilities often use a lot of energy, and their construction can lead to deforestation.
Conclusion
Big tech datacenters can have a significant economic impact on small towns, often providing much-needed jobs and investment. However, these datacenters can also strain local resources and services, leading to tensions between the community and the company. It is important for both parties to be aware of these potential problems and to work together to find solutions that benefit everyone involved.
