Erinn Williams

On concerns about hyperscale data centers

Neighbors bring this up often when talking about their concerns. They don't want out of state corporations getting big tax cuts while small businesses like mine get nothing. They have concerns about property values for those living close enough to proposed data center sites. Families are worried about water quality and noise impacts we don't have real answers on yet. And none of us want to watch our water and electricity rates increasing due to the demand from data centers moving into our backyards.

How they’d address those concerns

I will not vote for any tax breaks for hyperscale data centers, and I won't take campaign money from the industry or its allies. Beyond that, I'll push for public input before these deals are approved, transparency from our leaders, and real local control over where they get sited - not decided in Pierre or a boardroom. I'll continue to show up and keep my neighbors informed, because many of these decisions are made and we are kept in the dark until the shovels are in the ground.