As cities across the US grapple with growing data center backlashes, a surprising trend is emerging: factories that supply servers to these massive facilities are receiving virtually no opposition from local residents.
Unlike data centers themselves, which have become flashpoints for environmental concerns and community worries about automation's impact, the manufacturing projects supporting them seem immune to public scrutiny. Experts note that this minimal oversight highlights a potential new strategy for activists fighting data centers – targeting the factories that supply them.
"It's like the old saying goes: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em," says Andy Tsay, a Santa Clara University professor who studies global trade and reshoring. The lack of scrutiny on manufacturing projects could be an opportunity for activists to take on these industries.
However, organizers are cautioning that their resources are spread too thin to tackle multiple fronts.
"We need to start at the bottom and get those guys that make those servers," says Pamela Griffin, a resident of Taylor, Texas, who opposed a data center project last month but didn't speak up against a proposed factory. "We need to pick our battles."
The factory in question is being built by Taiwanese manufacturer Compal, which plans to create 900 jobs and invest $200 million in the city. Despite concerns about the impact on local water and electricity resources, council members unanimously approved nearly $4.4 million in tax breaks for the project.
While data centers are facing mounting opposition, factories that supply them seem poised to benefit from a booming market demand for servers and other parts. Cities find balancing out the benefits of both industries – including job creation and economic growth – with public concerns about environmental impact.
"It's not just an 'either-or' proposition," says Jerrod Kingery, a spokesperson for Taylor. "Both types of projects can be very beneficial to our community as we seek to attract more good-paying jobs close to home."
But critics like Griffin warn that this approach could ultimately undermine their efforts. If data center opponents succeed in slowing the growth of these facilities, it could also reduce demand for servers and other parts – making the factories even less sustainable.
As the debate around data centers and manufacturing projects continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the struggle over supply chains has become a new front in the battle against environmental degradation and technological disruption.
Unlike data centers themselves, which have become flashpoints for environmental concerns and community worries about automation's impact, the manufacturing projects supporting them seem immune to public scrutiny. Experts note that this minimal oversight highlights a potential new strategy for activists fighting data centers – targeting the factories that supply them.
"It's like the old saying goes: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em," says Andy Tsay, a Santa Clara University professor who studies global trade and reshoring. The lack of scrutiny on manufacturing projects could be an opportunity for activists to take on these industries.
However, organizers are cautioning that their resources are spread too thin to tackle multiple fronts.
"We need to start at the bottom and get those guys that make those servers," says Pamela Griffin, a resident of Taylor, Texas, who opposed a data center project last month but didn't speak up against a proposed factory. "We need to pick our battles."
The factory in question is being built by Taiwanese manufacturer Compal, which plans to create 900 jobs and invest $200 million in the city. Despite concerns about the impact on local water and electricity resources, council members unanimously approved nearly $4.4 million in tax breaks for the project.
While data centers are facing mounting opposition, factories that supply them seem poised to benefit from a booming market demand for servers and other parts. Cities find balancing out the benefits of both industries – including job creation and economic growth – with public concerns about environmental impact.
"It's not just an 'either-or' proposition," says Jerrod Kingery, a spokesperson for Taylor. "Both types of projects can be very beneficial to our community as we seek to attract more good-paying jobs close to home."
But critics like Griffin warn that this approach could ultimately undermine their efforts. If data center opponents succeed in slowing the growth of these facilities, it could also reduce demand for servers and other parts – making the factories even less sustainable.
As the debate around data centers and manufacturing projects continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the struggle over supply chains has become a new front in the battle against environmental degradation and technological disruption.
. We need to start targeting factories that supply servers to data centers ASAP. I mean, if we can't beat 'em (data centers), why not join 'em by holding them accountable too? 
It's time for activists to get creative and find ways to make these manufacturing projects more sustainable. I'm all about finding a balance between economic growth and environmental concerns, but it seems like the factories are getting a free pass right now.
... like, people are so caught up in opposing data centers that they're not even looking at the factories that make 'em 
. It's like they say "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" 
but what about all the environmental concerns? We need to be thinking about the whole supply chain thing 
. I just read an article on it and its saying that these factories are getting away with basically no oversight 
. Like, what's up with that?! [link: 
4.4 million tax breaks? That's insane! We need to start holding these companies accountable for their environmental impact too, not just the data centers 
what if this trend keeps going and we end up with more pollution than data centers ever were?
they're basically getting away with murder right under our noses... I mean, $200 million investment and 900 jobs are great and all but what's the catch? We can't even get the data centers shut down because of the environmental concerns. It's like we're being told to just accept that it's not a problem if it's not directly in front of us 
. And don't even get me started on the tax breaks... $4.4 million is a lot of money for a factory that's probably just going to contribute to more pollution and waste. I'm all about finding solutions, but we need to start holding these industries accountable before it's too late 
.
. It's like, if we want to save the planet, shouldn't we be worried about who's getting hurt in the process? 
I mean, I know there are jobs created and that sounds awesome, but what about the workers breathing in toxic fumes all day? Shouldn't they be at the forefront of this conversation? 
they're creating 900 jobs and investing $200 mil in Taylor, that's some serious dough 
Maybe this is just the start of something big? 
. The market demand for servers is expected to reach $45.6B by 2027, with Asia-Pacific being the largest contributor! 
Compal alone plans to create 900 jobs and invest $200M in Taylor, TX, which is crazy considering the tax breaks they just got! 
If data centers slow down, it could reduce server demand... factories might not be as sustainable? 
