Small Missouri town ousts half its city council after $6 billion AI data center approval — petition calls for mayor's removal as frustration (and violence) over AI data centers mounts

Afternoon sun shines on a data center facility in Vernon, California, USA.

The small town of Festus, Missouri — a community made up of just under 14,000 people — has become a focal point over the growing backlash against AI data centers entering communities across the country. Following the approval of a $6 billion data center project, voters removed four of the eight members of the Festus city council, as well as started a petition to remove the remaining city council members and the mayor, reports Politico.

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