PODCAST: Pro-data center industry group behind ad campaign in 7 states

As community pushback against data center construction grows, new commercials are cropping up in an attempt to improve public opinion. If you live in Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas or Virginia, you might have seen the 30-second ads on social media or TV. 

The ads are running in states where a growing number of local governments are considering and passing policies meant to slow data center growth. For example, a group called Oregon Connects registered as a nonprofit business in the state. This came just days before the state legislature passed a one-year pause on a popular tax incentive program for data centers.

In Episode 40, you’ll hear from Alex Baumhardt, a senior reporter at the Oregon Capital Chronicle. She has been covering who is behind the pro-data center ads and how communities are responding.

You’ll also get a weekly news wrap-up from Evening Wrap newsletter writer, Danielle Gaines and Daybreak newsletter writer Madyson Fitzgerald. They got you covered on the latest on: the latest wildfires in the West, Indiana’s “Medicaid churn”, and how the prediction markets offered some insight to Kansas’ primary races.

Click here for the full transcript.

Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: 

• Pro-data center industry group behind ad campaign in Oregon, six other states (Oregon Capital Chronicle)
• Bell County passed a data center moratorium. Residents worry that work continues. (Kentucky Lantern)
• Rising tension in central WA as farmland is eyed for energy and data center projects (Washington State Standard)
• As Meta data center expands, advocates push harder for transparency (Louisiana Illuminator)
• Alabama Public Service Commission approves solar project supporting data center (Alabama Reflector)

Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at podcast@statesnewsroom.com