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Amazon Web Services plans to construct a $4 billion data center on 500 acres in Wilmington, Ohio, seeking a 30-year property tax exemption in exchange for funding local schools and infrastructure. This has sparked significant local unrest, with residents filing complaints against local officials for lack of transparency.

Tensions have escalated in other small towns across the U.S., including Port Washington, Wisconsin, and Ashville, Ohio, where community members have protested datacenter proposals, leading to arrests and resignations. The controversy highlights a growing divide between local governments and residents regarding the impact of datacenter developments on community resources and infrastructure.