I come from a small town where we were promised economic growth and job opportunities with the construction of a data center. The reality, however, was starkly different. No jobs were given to local residents, and our community hasn't recovered from the disruption caused by the numerous construction activities and noise pollution.

Now, a similar project is on the horizon for our community, and I cannot stand by and let history repeat itself. We face the possibility of a large corporation erecting yet another data center in our beloved hometown, threatening our environment, peace, and local economy with empty promises.

Data centers, while critical to the technological infrastructure, consume vast amounts of energy and water, which are put on the community to pay for, leading to environmental degradation. According to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, data centers in the United States alone consumed about 91 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2013, equivalent to the annual output of 34 large (500-megawatt) coal-fired power plants.

Moreover, the promises of job creation often fail to materialize locally. Many communities that have accepted data centers into their midst have found that employment opportunities are given to non-residents leveraging a skilled workforce from outside, leaving local talent untapped.

We demand transparency and accountability from companies intending to build data centers in our community. We ask for thorough environmental impact assessments and a commitment to prioritize local hiring. We urge our local government to engage with community members before making decisions that could affect our lives drastically.

Support us in protecting our community's future and preserving the essence that makes it our home. We deserve development projects that offer genuine benefits to everyone in our community, not just the enticing headlines of progress.

Please sign this petition to voice our concerns and urge local authorities to reconsider the construction of yet another data center in our area.