The deeper I look into the proposed Atlas Agro data center on Horn Rapids Road and Trammell Crow Company project at Lewis & Clark Ranch in West Richland, the more it feels like a dystopian nightmare for the Tri-Cities. 

A lot of people don't realize the sheer scale of what is happening. The United States currently holds about 40% of the entire world’s data center infrastructure.

The site Programs.com reported that there are approximately 4,280 data centers in the United States as of May 2026.

With 4,280 data centers as of May 2026, the US has by far the most globally, 8x more than other countries. The UK ranks #2 with 527, followed by Germany with 517, China with 369, and France with 346.

I think we have already done our Global share. And we do not need to sacrifice our local resources to build more. 

Also unlike some foreign countries that face strict regulations or high energy costs, the US offers heavy tax incentives and ample land for data centers. 

Our local natural resources, power grid, and community values are facing an unprecedented corporate threat. Between the City of Richland's temporary option agreement with Swiss-backed Atlas Agro for 275 acres on Horn Rapids Road, and the massive 500-to-1,000-acre data center campus being studied by the Trammell Crow Company at the Lewis & Clark Ranch in West Richland, our community is being targeted for massive, resource-heavy corporate developments.

But here is the good news: These land deals are NOT finalized, and Trammell Crow is still conducting due diligence on the agricultural space. The cities have not legally handed over the keys yet. Our local representatives are watching to see how the public responds before signing final transaction documents or approving development permits. We have a direct window to force both the Richland and West Richland City Councils to halt these expansions.

Whether it is Atlas Agro’s 275-acre footprint on Horn Rapids Road, Trammell Crow’s massive land push at Lewis & Clark Ranch, or Amazon leveraging our regional energy infrastructure, Tri-Cities families are being forced to shoulder all the risks while corporate tech giants walk away with the profits. Public office is meant for protecting the community, not corporate grid demands.

We, the residents of Richland, West Richland, and Benton County, demand that our local city councils and regional energy providers reject all final land sales, zoning changes, and utility agreements for the Atlas Agro project, the Trammell Crow Lewis & Clark Ranch proposal, and all associated data center infrastructure. Protect your constituents, not Big Tech.