Kentucky Grandma Refuses $26 Million Data Center Deal

Ida Huddleston, an 82-year-old resident of Maysville, Kentucky, has refused an offer exceeding $26 million from a major artificial intelligence firm to purchase approximately half of her family's 1,200-acre farm for the construction of a data center campus. Huddleston, who has lived on the land since she was 16 and raised her family there with her late husband, stated that her connection to the property and the life she has built there is more valuable than the financial offer. The unnamed AI company approached dozens of landowners in Mason County, with Huddleston being offered approximately $60,000 per acre for her 71 acres, totaling over $4 million. Her daughter, Delsia Bare, 54, was offered $48,000 per acre for her 463 acres, potentially yielding over $22 million. The combined offer for the family's land significantly exceeded the typical market rate of around $6,000 per acre for farmland in the county.

While Bare initially signed a contract to sell, she and her mother ultimately withdrew from the deal, citing concerns about the project's impact and the pressure from unidentified developers. Bare expressed that fear played a role, particularly regarding the potential invocation of eminent domain by the company. However, the sentiment of the land's intrinsic value over monetary gain prevailed. Huddleston articulated her stance to People magazine, stating, "Money couldn't move what all I've got put in place here." Both mother and daughter have become vocal opponents of the proposed data center, expressing skepticism about the promised economic benefits and job creation. Huddleston has publicly referred to the offer as a "scam."

The Huddlestons have raised concerns about potential environmental consequences, drawing parallels to reported issues of water shortages and groundwater contamination near data centers in other parts of the United States. They believe preserving the farmland is crucial for food production and environmental health, with Huddleston emphasizing, "You can't get food out of a data center, and everything coming out of the data center is going to be poison and destructive." Bare, who has not previously sold any of her land, highlighted her deep attachment to the property. The AI firm's identity and specific plans for the data center remain undisclosed to the public, adding to the local community's unease. The Huddlestons' decision highlights a growing tension between the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and the preservation of rural communities and natural resources, with individuals prioritizing legacy and environmental stewardship over substantial financial gain.