Holyoke residents protest proposed data center project
Holyoke residents protested outside City Hall, urging city leaders to ban future data center development. They expressed concerns about potential impacts on utility costs, public health, and the environment, as a proposed data center project in Holyoke remains under review by the City Council ordinance Committee.
Holyoke residents gathered outside City Hall on Thursday evening to protest a proposed data center project and advocate for a city-wide ban on future data center development. Protesters voiced concerns regarding the potential adverse effects on utility costs, public health, and the local environment.
The demonstration occurred before a meeting of the City Council ordinance Committee, which is currently reviewing a specific Holyoke data center proposal. Developers of the project contend that it could generate up to $3 million annually in tax revenue and utilize existing electrical infrastructure. However, a local resident stated, "if we can live folks out a survival mode, then we can have community-run businesses and community run enterprises and we will need these large predatory companies to come in and take advantage of us."