Trump highlights AI data center energy use as construction for Dalton facility advances
News ClipWTVC·Dalton, Whitfield County, GA·2/25/2026
Construction continues on a large AI data center campus in Dalton, Georgia, nearly a year after Whitfield County approved rezoning that drew strong opposition from nearby residents. During his State of the Union address, President Trump addressed concerns that AI data centers could strain local power grids and increase electric bills. The 173-acre project near Old Tilton Road was approved despite pushback from families concerned about noise, traffic, and quality-of-life impacts. Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority has emphasized the economic benefits, noting the company is spending approximately $5 million per month on local electricity.
zoningoppositionelectricity
Gov: Whitfield County Board of Commissioners
The Trump administration has highlighted concerns over the energy use of AI data centers, as construction continues on a large facility in Dalton, Georgia. The 173-acre project faced strong local opposition due to concerns over noise, traffic, and impact on the power grid, but was approved by county commissioners in 2025. Development officials have emphasized the economic benefits, with the company investing heavily in the community and spending $5 million per month on electricity. As the construction advances, the project has become part of a broader national debate on the tradeoffs between the environmental impact and economic investment of such data centers.