Residents react to Hawesville data center

News Clip1:22Eyewitness News WEHT WTVW·Hawesville, Hancock County, KY·7/7/2026

A data center project by Tera in Hawesville, Kentucky, has drawn mixed reactions from local residents. While some see potential community benefits, others express significant concerns about increased electricity and water consumption, as well as the number of jobs created.

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Tera, a data center company, has announced a 20-year lease agreement for a campus in Hawesville, Kentucky, at the former Central Play facility. The company anticipates generating $19 billion in contract revenue over the lease term.

The announcement has elicited varied responses from Hawesville residents. Some view the project positively, believing it could bring benefits to the community. However, others express considerable apprehension, particularly regarding the potential for skyrocketing electricity usage and high water consumption associated with data centers. Concerns were also raised about the relatively low number of jobs the data center is expected to create compared to previous industrial operations in the area.