Data Centers in Black Communities

By Lucius Gantt

Data center debates are pretty extensive in America these days. Are the huge technological data wonders something of interest and important to Black people?

I think yes!

Technology companies, computer manufacturers, AI companies, social media companies benefit from data centers.

Data center builders and owners say datacenters generate local tax revenues, create temporary construction jobs, increase investments in local power grids, high speed fiber optics, and utility substations, and data center lovers say the facilities are quiets, pose no increases in traffic and do not cause pollution.

People opposed to new data centers, say the centers require gigawatts of power and may increase utility bills for all residents. The data facilities use millions of gallons of water daily and the high water usage could drain local aquifers and local water supplies.

Well, people in "good" neighborhoods protest every time a data center is proposed for their communities.

Well, guess what data center builders are doing to locate more places to put the controversial centers.

They go to small Black controlled towns. They think that Blacks in small towns can be bamboozled better and faster.

No disrespect to elected officials in smaller communities, but data center representatives spend serious money to get what they want. They are like the "lobbyists for defense contractors", they do what it takes to get the job done, or to implement the data plan.

So, when I lobbyist comes to town with a huge expense account and asks an elected official, "Can you meet me for dinner at an exclusive and expensive restaurant?", all the drinks are on me.

That kind of conversation doesn't happen much in small towns.

The main thing is, what if your elected official doesn't know what to ask data center lobbyists for to move forward with his data proposals.

For instance, how many local people will you hire and in what positions? Or, will data centers finance all related infrastructure costs, like road improvements, increased law enforcement, what construction and operational products and tools will be purchased locally? Will the data center staff be diverse?

TGR family we can be bamboozled so easily. The people you vote for in November are the ones who graduated from the HBCU, or my side-piece's girl friend, or the candidates best friend in junior high school.

I am certainly not an expert in digital technology but I do think the data center discussions are important.

If data centers seek to set up shop in Black cities or counties, Black elected officials should get more out of a business discussion than cold coffee and a stale doughnut.

Elected officials, data centers that glitter are not necessarily golden!

Continue to support the people's column!