Shimmy Says: Data Centers Everywhere
Techstrong IT, Friday, July 17th, 2026
US public support for AI data centers has collapsed, driven by lopsided community deals rather than anti-AI sentiment.
Alan Shimel examines the rapid shift in American attitudes toward data center development, with public support falling from 43% in August 2025 to 21% by spring 2026.
He frames this as an "anti-deal revolt" rather than opposition to AI, since host communities receive minimal employment benefits while absorbing environmental and utility costs.
Examples from Broadview, Montana; Richland Parish, Louisiana; and Memphis's Boxtown neighborhood show infrastructure concentrated without equitable compensation.
The root problem is misaligned incentives among tech companies, utilities, politicians and investors who profit while residents bear externalities.
Shimel concludes that public acceptance is an infrastructure requirement, not a public-relations problem.