23 Daily — According to techcrunch.com, Meta president Dina Powell McCormick stated at the WSJ Tech Conference on November 5, 2026, that the Democratic wins in the midterm elections have made it much harder for companies to build data centers. This reflects growing pushback from local communities against large-scale data centers, which could hinder future investment and development of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
Voter Opposition to Data Centers Mirrors Broader AI Concerns
Powell McCormick pointed out that the backlash against data centers was a prominent issue in the election and is closely tied to people’s feelings about AI technology overall. She explained, “The visible sort of manifestation of AI is a data center, and it’s something that people can say, ‘I don’t want this in my community.’ This reflects a deeper concern about AI.” Meta believes that demonstrating the value of both the data centers and the AI technology to local communities could help reverse negative consumer sentiment.
Meta Implements Measures to Secure Community Support
Meta has two decades of experience operating data centers and currently has facilities in 23 states, including five projects of 1 gigawatt or larger, such as one in Texas. Powell McCormick emphasized that communities are more willing to accept data centers when tangible benefits are provided.
Meta’s approach includes paying its own electricity costs, directing tax surpluses from data centers to teachers and first responders, prioritizing local labor, and seeking bipartisan political support. These strategies have been key for securing community approval, with future projects expected to face increased scrutiny based on constituent support.
Editor's take: Challenges and Opportunities in AI Infrastructure Investment
Against a backdrop of shifting political climates and heightened local sensitivities to large infrastructure projects, Meta is cautiously approaching data center expansion but remains confident in the long-term value of these investments. The company is placing its hopes on the growth of its AI agent Muse, aiming to scale from tens of millions to billions of users, and believes the computing power of its data centers holds significant monetization potential.
Entrepreneurs should note that investments at the intersection of AI and data centers involve not only technological challenges but also political and community acceptance. Viable validation pathways include engaging directly with local governments and communities to showcase positive impacts, and developing models that ensure mutually beneficial partnerships to facilitate project success.