>The Rowan County Commission meeting included a rare sight, County Chair Greg Edds standing in front of the dais addressing the audience after public comment (something he had never done in his 12 year history according to the article).

articles like this makes me wonder - does the "AI" in "AI data center" amplify concerns beyond 'normal' concerns around commercial and residential real estate development projects?

on one hand, i feel it is partially the media reporting on it more than in the past, but then these articles and anecdata about meetings like this across the country make me feel there may be other differences?

note - in the article, the data center wasn't even on the agenda, nor is a deal in place and yet the unprecedented discussion:

>“I want to be clear about this, so watch my lips. There is no data center deal,” Edds said. “We have made no offers on any data centers. No data centers have made any offers to us. We are not speaking to any data centers.”