Communities Welcome Server Factories While Rejecting Data Centers in Growing Infrastructure Divide
Netherlands, Monday, 26 January 2026.
A striking paradox emerges in digital infrastructure development as communities across the Netherlands and United States embrace server manufacturing facilities while fiercely opposing data centers. The contrast reflects practical economics: factories promise hundreds of local jobs with moderate energy consumption, while data centers strain electrical grids with massive power demands but employ relatively few workers. This shift highlights how municipalities now distinguish between manufacturing the hardware that powers digitalization and the energy-intensive facilities that process data, creating new strategic considerations for technology companies seeking community approval.
The Texas Model: Manufacturing Wins Local Support
The stark contrast between community responses to data centers versus manufacturing facilities became evident in Taylor, Texas, during December 2025. Pamela Griffin and other residents protested a data center project at a city council meeting, yet the same community enthusiastically welcomed a proposed tech factory [1]. This divergent response reflects the economic realities that municipalities face when evaluating digital infrastructure projects.
Economic Development Strategy Behind Manufacturing Support
Local officials articulate clear economic reasoning for supporting manufacturing over data centers. Jerrod Kingery, spokesperson for Taylor, explained that both types of projects can benefit communities by attracting good-paying jobs and reducing reliance on residential property taxes [1]. Cameron Goodman, director of economic development for Georgetown, emphasized the city’s deliberate approach to locating factories in areas with appropriate infrastructure including roadways, water, wastewater, and electrical systems [1].
Workforce Challenges in Digital Infrastructure Construction
The rapid expansion of AI-driven data center construction creates unprecedented demand for skilled tradespeople. Between 2024 and 2034, the United States will face a shortage of approximately 81,000 electricians annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [3]. A McKinsey study estimated that between 2023 and 2030, the country would need an additional 130,000 electricians, 240,000 construction laborers, and 150,000 construction supervisors [3].
Strategic Implications for Activists and Industry
The differential community response creates strategic considerations for both activists and technology companies. Andy Tsay, a Santa Clara University professor, warned that activists may eventually target critical factories that could disrupt data center operations, stating that people will eventually identify which factory can bring all data centers to their knees [1]. However, current activist resources remain limited for pursuing such coordinated strategies [1].