Mayor’s column: Let’s talk about data center

The Mayor's column addresses the proposed data center on the former Dodge Village site in Bristol, Connecticut, following public discussion on social media. Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu clarifies the project's multi-year development, which began under a previous administration. Key approvals include the state's Siting Council greenlighting the fuel cell component of the development on December 8, 2022, with an extension granted on September 19, 2025. Locally, the Bristol Zoning Commission approved new regulations on November 10, following a September 15 application, to classify data centers as a permissible use in BHC and Industrial/Industrial Park zones, as they were not previously defined. Additionally, the Inland-Wetlands Commission approved the facility due to its proximity to the Pequabuck River, noting no river water use or discharge. Mayor Zoppo-Sassu distinguishes this project as a small, "edge computing" facility, unlike the large, resource-intensive complexes often discussed nationally. She highlights that such smaller data centers can be designed for greater sustainability, bring their own power, and have minimal environmental impact. The column references efforts by President Trump and Governor Lamont to ensure data centers bring their own energy sources and that communities receive fair revenue, noting Connecticut's high power costs generally deter larger data center developments. The Mayor argues that while large data centers present concerns, opposing all data centers is impractical, especially with the rise of AI. She positions the proposed Bristol facility as a necessary and sustainable "edge" data center supporting local needs in finance, robotics, manufacturing, and biomedical research, which are critical for AI deployment and reducing data latency.