Data Center Backlash Plays Out in Arkansas Local Races Around a $6.6 Billion Project
Arkansas's midterm campaigns are showing that data center politics is playing out mainly in local races rather than statewide or federal contests, according to an analysis published November 2. Several communities have moved to block data center construction or impose new restrictions, and a $6.6 billion data center project under construction in Clarksville, Johnson County, has become a focal point.
Democratic U.S. Senate challenger Hallie Shoffner has attacked incumbent Republican Senator Tom Cotton over the issue on the campaign trail and says she wants a seat on the Senate Energy Committee to respond to residents' concerns.
In a state legislative race, former Republican Representative Debra Hobbs, running as an independent for the Clarksville seat, has also targeted data centers and their tax incentives. Incumbent Republican Representative Aaron Pilkington is a prominent data center supporter who earlier this year became executive director of the Arkansas Connected Communities Association, a pro-data-center advocacy group.
An August poll by Talk Business & Politics and Hendrix College in the 2nd Congressional District found that more than half of likely voters strongly oppose a data center being built in their community, with nearly 19% somewhat opposed; the margin of error was plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.
(Source: Arkansas Advocate)
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：阿肯色州克拉克斯维尔市中心斯帕德拉溪与自然步道。Brandonrush 摄，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Spadra Creek and the nature trail in downtown Clarksville, Arkansas. By Brandonrush, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
