Dubuque, along with its surrounding county, embodies the heart of Iowa’s rural heritage — a landscape graced by hardworking families, fertile farmland, close-knit communities, and a way of life deeply rooted in trust, independence, and personal freedom. This is a place where traditions are cherished, and the natural environment is a part of our identity. However, this way of life is under imminent threat from the encroachment of massive data centers.

While some may see data centers as mere warehouses for cloud computing, their presence signifies much more. These facilities are not just technical operations; they are high-security hubs for unprecedented data collection, storage, and processing. As these centers rise, so do profound surveillance risks, threatening the privacy and freedom of every individual in our community. We cannot overlook the implications — data centers can act as gateways for national and international corporations to monitor, control, and exploit personal data.

The environmental impact is equally concerning. Data centers consume vast amounts of electricity, contributing to pollution and placing strain on our local resources meant for farming and living. The environmental cost of water usage, energy requirements, and carbon footprint is a direct threat to our long-standing agricultural practices and natural landscape.

Additionally, data centers could disrupt our local economy and job market. They do not offer the same community-based employment opportunities critical industries have historically provided here. Replacing farmland with facilities that generate few permanent jobs and mostly temporary construction work does not benefit our community in the long term.

We have a duty to safeguard our residents’ privacy, preserve our environment, and protect the economic health of Dubuque County. It is crucial to stand together to ensure that our county remains a sanctuary for those seeking a life bolstered by independence and authentic community values.

If we do not take action now, we risk irreversibly altering the character and security of our beloved region. We urge local authorities and decision-makers to prioritize the desires and well-being of Dubuque’s citizens over the interests of corporate entities.

Join us in firmly opposing the establishment of data centers in Dubuque and Dubuque County. Sign this petition to help preserve our community, our privacy, and our way of life.