Northern Kentucky family declines $26 million bid as data center plans advance

Ida Huddleston, 82, and her daughter Delsey, a farming family from Maysville, Northern Kentucky, made headlines for rejecting a $26 million offer for about half of their 1,200-acre property. An unnamed AI company sought the land to develop a data center, but the family expressed a deep connection to their ancestral land, emphasizing its history of feeding the nation and their desire to continue farming. Delsey A. Bear, speaking on behalf of the family, stated that the financial offer meant nothing compared to their heritage and the land's role in food production. She also voiced skepticism regarding promises of jobs and economic prosperity from the AI companies, labeling them a "scam." The family also raised concerns about the loss of farmland, potential water issues, and pollution. Despite their refusal, the AI company has reportedly redrawn its development plans, indicating the data center project may still proceed on adjacent land. The zoning request for the data center has been publicly announced, proposing the rezoning of nearly 2,000 acres across 28 agricultural parcels in Mason County. The Joint Planning Commission has scheduled two public meetings for March 25th and 26th at 5:30 PM to discuss the proposal.