In Tazewell County, Illinois, Michael Deppert fears his farm’s future is in peril. His water table could be tapped by a proposed data center eight miles away.

Locals have rallied against the encroachment of technology into their rural landscape. The project, led by Western Hospitality Partners, was ultimately abandoned after months of opposition.

Data centers are now increasingly located in farm country due to cheaper land and tax incentives. According to Pew Research Center, 67% of planned data centers are in rural areas, while only 87% of existing ones are urban.

Rural communities have become a target for tech giants. In just three years, over 160 new AI-focused data centers have been built across the US, marking a roughly 70% increase on the total number.

Public opinion is turning against these facilities. Pew research indicates Americans are far more likely to view data centers as harmful than beneficial in terms of environmental impact and quality of life.