Statewide backlash over proposed data center forces town to move hearing to larger venue
A proposed data center in Nottingham, New Hampshire, is facing significant public backlash and statewide opposition due to concerns over its potential power and water consumption. Town officials were forced to move a planning board discussion to a larger venue to accommodate the high level of public interest. The entrepreneur behind the project, Thomas Moulton, believes critics are overlooking potential tax revenue benefits.
A proposed data center development in Nottingham, New Hampshire, spearheaded by Seacoast entrepreneur Thomas Moulton, is generating widespread public opposition. The intense backlash has led Nottingham town officials to relocate an upcoming planning board discussion to a larger venue, as the town administrator, Ellen White, confirmed an outpouring of comments from across New Hampshire and awareness of a planned protest.
Residents and critics are expressing concerns about the facility's significant demands on local infrastructure, particularly its high consumption of electricity and water. Moulton, however, argues that opponents are prematurely criticizing the project without considering potential benefits, such as increased tax revenue for the town. The upcoming session is described as an informal conceptual consultation rather than a formal public hearing, with opportunities for residents to comment.
This dispute highlights the ongoing challenge for communities in balancing economic development and potential tax benefits against environmental concerns and strain on local resources.