Kentucky family declines $26 million bid to build data center on their farmland

In northern Kentucky, a family led by Delsia Bare and her mother, Ida Huddleston, declined a substantial $26 million offer from an anonymous prospective buyer seeking to acquire approximately 600 acres of their 1,200-acre farmland near Maysville. The land was intended for the development of an AI data center, with the offer being roughly ten times the typical land value in the area. Despite the lucrative financial incentive, the family steadfastly refused to sell, expressing deep-rooted connections to their ancestral land which has been in their family for generations. They emphasized their commitment to farming and "feeding a nation," referencing their family's history of raising wheat during the Depression. The family's decision was also driven by significant environmental concerns associated with AI data centers. They highlighted issues such as excessive energy and water consumption, which contribute to air pollution, electricity price spikes, and depletion or contamination of vital water resources. Noise pollution from thousands of servers was also cited as a problem for local residents. Their stance aligns with many communities actively resisting AI companies for similar reasons, as they prioritize environmental health and local quality of life over data center development.