By Sherry Larson
“You can’t stop AI,” said Adams County Commissioner Barbara Moore Holt at the June 22 Commissioners meeting. It would be hard to disagree. Stopping artificial intelligence would have immense economic stakes. As a nation, we need to be competitive both globally and geopolitically. As a reporter, AI is a game-changer for quick research. As a writer, AI offends my ability to craft a story. Most people have a love-hate relationship with this controversial tool. Why? AI doesn’t have a soul – we do.
AI presents a complication for Adams County that extends beyond the need for economic development – it threatens the soul of a rural way of life.
(By the way – I just read this introduction to my husband, who said, “That was very good – but AI probably would have done it better.” Yes – he’s very supportive)
Watching the Commissioners’ meeting on Monday via Facebook, it was evident that many who are opposed to the hyperscale data center slated for Adams County were in attendance. Commissioner Moore Holt told those attendees that they were not the only voices in Adams County, to which Nikki Gerber of MoonDoggie LiVeree spoke out, “I don’t see any of the ‘for’ people at meetings here ever!” This statement resonated with the group, as folks want to hear the proponents’ reasoning and research.
Unfortunately, the Amazon forum held on June 18 failed to address the vital questions needed to build confidence in the data center project. Several attendees were disappointed with the event and described it as feckless and a joke, saying that inquirers were quickly directed to the next table for answers or that questions were deflected. Commissioner Moore Holt said, “I did not like the format.” One gentleman at the Commissioners meeting said, “I thought it was going to be a pros and cons meeting, but it ended up being a happy little gathering for the data center people.”
So, what’s the win for Adams County? If it can’t be stopped, how does the county move forward without selling its soul? Will data centers make a significant impact on employment growth in the county? If Adams County offers tax incentives to Amazon, will the actual benefits be smaller than projected when weighed against the total cost? Is Amazon offering incentives that will build the county’s infrastructure?
Versions of these questions were asked at the June 18 forum meeting and discussed at the Commissioner’s meeting, with constituents growing anxious for concrete answers. There was much back-and-forth regarding whether the commissioners had been in negotiations with Amazon. Commissioners denied such interactions with Amazon, however, they indicated that the company has permission from the landowners to start some dirt work. “We want the truth!” was a response from one attendee. Moore Holt explained that there was no timeline on negotiations, and she wasn’t pushing the issue since many people were asking for a pause in the process.
Moore Holt continued explaining what some enticements from Amazon could be, such as a gas line that has long been a coveted component of new infrastructure. They also discussed the benefits for Manchester schools. She admitted to having “very mixed feelings about it,” but continued, “to me, there will be tax dollars, and there will be jobs. ”When pressed about the number of jobs, Moore emphasized that “they” had told her the average number of Amazon jobs per building was 33 and that they do provide job training. Moore noted that if the 33 per building number is correct, that would mean 594 jobs, which is approximately 235 more than the number on record when DP&L closed in 2018. Opponents of the data center project were not convinced.
Attendees were mainly focused on environmental concerns, beautification projects, farming, and the rural way of life in Adams County. For some, development is a “no-brainer” – much-needed and mandatory for the continued growth and improvement of communities, including jobs, housing, education, etc. Still, many opposed to the data center see this advancement as a “no winner” and consider some development a desecration of the unassuming way of life in Adams County.
Commissioner Kelly Jones said, “I’m concerned like everyone else,” and Commissioner Jason Hayslip echoed his desire for answers. What wasn’t clear was whether the commissioners believe the building of a hyperscale data center in Adams County is a good idea.
As reported two weeks ago, data centers have been paused or stopped by communities that refuse to consider tax abatements and incentives. Will the Commissioners continue to pause and seek counsel from an expert in the field? A practicedprofessional who knows the questions to ask and the fine print to examine. Someone who can advise them before they sit at the negotiating table.
The People’s Defender reached out to all three Adams County Commissioners this past week, asking them to answer a few questions so our readers can understand how our local government is dealing with this challenging situation. On June 21, Commissioner Kelly Jones agreed to speak with this reporter after the June 18 Amazon forum, saying, “We need to know the build design so we can have a factual story.” As of the writing of this story, only Commissioner Jason Hayslip agreed to answer questions. Hayslip concurred with Jones and Moore Holt that it would be very difficult to stop Amazon from moving forward with the data center project, as it involves privately owned property. However, he said, “I don’t think this is a done deal. There are still easements and infrastructure needs, from my understanding.”
Hayslip met with an Amazon representative once, which he readily disclosed at a Commissioners’ meeting. He said, “No promises were made, no deals were made, and I have not seen anything in writing about incentives or tax abatements. I’m sure they will ask for as much as they can get.”
Should the project move forward, Hayslip feels a win for the county would be getting “real” commitments from Amazon. He emphasized requirements for job creation and roads, utilities, and other infrastructure that they would help build. His question, “How are they going to invest in our community?” One thing he would love to see is natural gas services brought to Adams County. Hayslip again stressed the county’s efforts to achieve this goal. He said, “When I ran for Commissioner, I talked about improving infrastructure, including natural gas and broadband. Natural gas could help lower heating costs for families and make our county more attractive to future businesses.”
Hayslip understands why people are concerned and shares their concern. But he thinks the county must explore the opportunities that could bring growth. Hayslip highlighted some of the county’s current challenges, such as a struggling EMS system and schools in need of support. He discussed the 140 children in foster and kinship care, saying, “Those are issues that affect real families every day. If a project of this size comes here, I would like to see it help address some of those needs.”
When asked how things could have been handled differently with the public to avoid some of the trust and transparency issues the Commissioners are facing, Hayslip said, “Hindsight is 20/20. The view always changes from that perspective.”
Hayslip confirmed that the Commissioners have met with Frost Brown Todd Law Firm, but have not retained them. The firm is experienced with large-scale negotiations.
Hayslip added, “I’m just a resident of Adams County who happens to be serving as a Commissioner right now. My goal is simple – when my time in office is over, I want Adams County to be in a better place than it was when I started.” Of the data center project, he said, “Whatever happens, I want the process to be open, honest, and focused on what’s best for the people of Adams County.”
Meanwhile,, a number of constituents are pleading for a pause and for the County Commissioners to exhaust every avenue to make well-informed decisions, represent the people of Adams County with accountability, and avoid unintended consequences.
Hopefully, grace will be extended between proponents and opponents of the hyperscale data center during this challenging time of discussion and discovery. Adams Countians will depend on their leaders to steer the county in the right direction, carefully weighing all options. If this project is unstoppable, will it catapult the county’s economic growth? If the Commissioners decide that Amazon’s offerings are not conducive to the needs of Adams County, what is the path forward? “What do we benefit if we gain the whole AI world – but lose our Adams County soul?”