By Cate Charron
Publication Date: 2025-12-30 10:00:00
Dec. 30, 2025, 5:00 a.m. ET
- Citizen-led advocacy groups are increasingly organizing to oppose large-scale development projects like data centers.
- The effectiveness of public comment varies, as local leaders balance resident concerns with potential economic benefits.
Andrew Filler first learned about a data center proposed for the cornfield directly across the street from his home when he opened his mail.
That was February.
Since then, Filler quickly became a local activist who corralled hundreds to oppose and ultimately defeat the project. Now, he’s fielding calls from people in Kentucky, Arizona, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington asking him how they can do the same.
“We’re neighbors working together to fix an issue and have community involvement,” he said. “That was the main goal at the end of the day.”
As multimillion-dollar projects backed by big-name companies entice leaders and businesspeople across the state, citizens are showing up to local government meetings and using public…
