Data center concerns grow across political lines

Data center development is drawing growing concern across party lines, particularly over farmland, water, and electricity costs. A University of Illinois Farmdoc Daily analysis found Democrats reported the greatest concern, averaging more than 5.5 on a seven-point scale for effects on agricultural land, water use, and electricity prices. But concern also rose among Republicans and independents between February and August 2026. Republicans’ concern about land and water use increased from 4.5 to 5.2. Worry about farmland conversion rose 0.7 points among Democrats and 0.8 points among Republicans. The findings come as developers seek sites in rural areas. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reports agricultural production is slowing in West Texas as acreage shifts to data centers and alternative energy. An Illinois farm manager survey found about one-quarter of respondents had been approached by data center developers in the first half of 2026. NAFB news service