In Tazewell County, Illinois, local farmer Michael Deppert expressed concerns over a proposed data center that would potentially tap into the same aquifer used for irrigation on his farm. This project, led by developer Western Hospitality Partners, faced fierce opposition from residents worried about the implications for their drinking water and agricultural productivity. Their campaign succeeded, leading to the project's cancellation. This incident is indicative of a broader trend in rural America, where communities are resisting the rapid expansion of data centers, which are increasingly moving into these areas for cheaper land and tax incentives. According to the Pew Research Center, 67% of planned data centers are now in rural locations, contrasting with 87% of existing centers in urban areas. The shift has sparked a backlash, with public sentiment turning against data centers, perceived as detrimental to the environment and local quality of life. In the last three years, more than 160 new AI-focused data centers have been established in the U.S., marking a 70% increase in total data centers.