A complicated matter and I know nothing about this stuff. But I do know that the Rust Belt and other areas of the country used to have thriving towns and cities. Rivers, Railroads, Canals, Resources offered reasons for cities like Syracuse, Cleveland, Indianopolis and many smaller locations to thrive. Good infrastructure, high populations, etc. But then it all fell apart and the reasons for this locations to exist pretty much evaporated. The US has many “empty” towns and cities. Sad places.
It may not be practical (location always matters) but it sure would be nice to throw $1.6B into one of those empty places and revive past glory. Seems a shame to ruin an idyllic little town. You just know it’s going to be an empty eyesore in 50 or 100 years.
How many people work at these centers? Let’s get more facts on the table.
There was a story on X that Elon had bought the Echostar bandwidth. Possible cell phone system?
“@grok…is it true our electricity bill is going up because AI data centers are drawing more and more power from the grid paying much less per kw than us ordinary folk?”
But remember….we need to cull all the cows, stop using fertilizer and use public transportation because it’s important to fight climate change.
Why are so many large data centers suddenly needed?
It’s certainly not to provide information to the people. I suspect they need more data storage to store information ON the people.
So who is actually owns Balloonist LLC ... China?
I’ve been to Menomonie once.
Toured the Leinekugel’s brewery, had a hangover at the time...long story.
Hmmm...let's see. Buy a 100 acres of rural land for the center, or go into downtown Madison and buy a 100 acres. I wonder why the investors don't do that. (Hint: Because they still have brains that works.)
***a mysterious company***
Reminds me of “a mysterious company” buying up hundreds of acres in small town Orlando Florida in the 1960s at low prices. That mysterious company turned out to be Disney.
“Menomonie”
mnemonic
the small sea creature, the anemone.
This is happening in Indianapolis area. Google on the southeast side and Meta on the Northwest side. The locals aren’t happy. Big facilities with massive energy and water needs, getting huge tax breaks, but creating very few jobs outside of the construction phase.
75,000 gallons/day - they need water like a junkie needs heroin.
Census in 2020 showed population of 16,843.
Aside from the temporary construction jobs..
Once development is completed, the facility would foster 50 to 75 full-time 'high paying, six-figure' jobs.
And I'd bet few if any of those jobs will go to local people who already live there. Unless Menomonie is a hidden hotbed of tech talent...😆
So, Lose-Lose for the locals, as usual.
one wonders who is paying the city council under the table, and why did the city administrator sign an NDA