“Local control” of data centers is a Big Tech con

Underfunded local governments are currently unable to effectively manage the influence of Big Tech developers when establishing data centers. The concept of local control is presented as a deceptive strategy used by these large corporations to bypass meaningful oversight. Because municipal authorities lack the necessary resources and expertise to negotiate on equal terms, the promised local autonomy becomes a facade, allowing developers to dictate terms while local governments struggle to maintain actual regulatory authority over these facilities.