Growing development of data centers is raising concerns among Americans across political party lines, particularly about farmland, water supplies and electricity costs. A University of Illinois Farmdoc Daily analysis found concern increasing among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters during 2026. Democrats expressed the greatest overall concern, averaging more than 5.5 on a seven-point scale.

However, Republican concern about agricultural land and water use increased from 4.5 to 5.2 between February and August. The findings come as technology companies seek additional rural locations for massive data centers. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reports agricultural production is slowing in portions of West Texas as farmland shifts to data centers and alternative energy projects. Meanwhile, an Illinois survey found approximately one-quarter of farm managers had been approached by data center developers during the first half of this year.

By: NATHAN STUEDLEGrowing development of data centers is raising concerns among Americans across political party lines, particularly about farmland, water supplies and electricity costs. A University of Illinois Farmdoc Daily analysis found concern increasing among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters during 2026. Democrats expressed the greatest overall concern, averaging more than 5.5 on a seven-point scale.However, Republican concern about agricultural land and water use increased from 4.5 to 5.2 between February and August. The findings come as technology companies seek additional rural locations for massive data centers. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reports agricultural production is slowing in portions of West Texas as farmland shifts to data centers and alternative energy projects. Meanwhile, an Illinois survey found approximately one-quarter of farm managers had been approached by data center developers during the first half of this year.

Data center concerns grow across political lines