OpenAI kicks off charm offensive to change voters’ view of data centers
OpenAI announced new policies aimed at winning local support for its data center projects, including ending nondisclosure agreements with public officials and giving residents access to construction-impact information. The company cited a planned facility in southern Ohio that is expected to create 2,500 long-term jobs, as political opposition and calls to pause new data center permits grow in several states.
OpenAI is launching a community-relations campaign to counter growing public and political opposition to data center construction. The company said it will stop using nondisclosure agreements with public officials during site discussions and will provide residents with information about projects’ effects on traffic, noise and lighting. Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane and President Greg Brockman said the company needs to better explain the economic benefits of its facilities.
OpenAI said a facility in southern Ohio could create about 2,500 permanent jobs, while partners including Oracle build and own much of its infrastructure. The effort comes after Democratic candidates won gubernatorial races in Ohio, Texas and Georgia while promising to pause new data center permits or impose tighter construction rules, and as most data center-related ballot measures this week reportedly went against the industry.