For those unfamiliar with artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, here is a quick rundown: These facilities are designed to train AI models and run inference, often for systems developed by companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms. They are frequently located in Midwestern states such as Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Because these centers require enormous amounts of water and electricity to operate, they can place added strain on local resources and contribute to higher utility costs for residents in the communities where they are located.
For obvious reasons, there has been tremendous opposition to these data centers trying to pop up in neighborhoods. Thus far, $64 billion in data center projects have been blocked by residents' opposition.
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In Northern Kentucky, a farmland owner was offered a whopping $26 million to sell part of their farmland for the creation of a data center, but the owner refused to sell.
"Paid taxes on it [farmland], fed a nation off of it, even raised wheat through the depression, and kept the breadlines up in the United States of America."
Below is the full clip, reported by the local news broadcast:
A Northern Kentucky woman and her mother have declined a $26 million offer to sell part of their farmland, saying they do not want it turned into a data center: https://t.co/ETMUWN5HZt pic.twitter.com/foqALR287h
— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) March 23, 2026
Those who are bullish about AI believe that these data centers will benefit us in the long run, and that people will come to accept the idea that these centers are needed to stay ahead of other countries, such as China. But they don't seem to understand that many Americans, especially those in small towns, are bearish about AI and especially the building of data centers in their communities.
In Kentucky, an anonymous individual scouting farmland offered Dr. Tim Grosser $4 million for his two-million-dollar land. Grosser refused. The offer turned into over $8 million. The owner still refused and was then asked to name his price. When asked by the reporter why he wouldn't say $30 million or $50 million for the land, Grosser said, "Money can't buy happiness."
An anonymous AI company wants to buy Dr. Tim Grosser's family land in Kentucky to build a data center.
— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) December 17, 2025
They offered him up to $8 million dollars, and he refused.
They asked him to name his price, and he still refused. pic.twitter.com/ls3grghfck
You can tell that these folks love living the way they currently are; they are comfortable and are standing on principle, no matter the millions of dollars they are being offered. If their neighbors feel the same way and they stand as one cohesive unit, that would send a message loud and clear to the artificial intelligence gurus who want to build these data centers in small towns.
Similar to the way some real estate investors purchase several single-family homes over a period of time and then eventually turn those into multi-family units, in order to make these AI data centers effective, they will need to purchase substantial amounts of farmland. At this rate, it seems like they're likely to encounter many roadblocks. The assumption that offering millions for the land will translate into an easy yes overlooks the reality that many people, especially in small towns, cherish their land, neighborhood, and community.
Opinions on AI vary greatly. Some people feel like the AI takeover of most workforces is inevitable, while others think there must be a human aspect to most professions. Some think AI is coming fast, and others think there are still decades to go until it turns into what individuals like the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, have been touting. But the fact of the matter is, the groundwork is being laid now, and some people are aware of that and are pushing back.
🚨 SAM ALTMAN: “People talk about how much energy it takes to train an AI model … But it also takes a lot of energy to train a human. It takes like 20 years of life and all of the food you eat during that time before you get smart.” pic.twitter.com/vRuVnnmzjB
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) February 21, 2026
Those who are bullish on AI certainly would love to turn farmlands into data centers and accelerate artificial intelligence development — their willingness to offer millions to landowners is a testament to that. It remains to be seen whether others will follow the refusals we have already seen from some farmland owners, but as more information emerges about these centers — and how residents may ultimately end up paying more for electricity — these projects could, at the very least, be put on pause due to public backlash and the inability to acquire enough land.
