Regan Bollweg

On concerns about hyperscale data centers

Many citizens are concerned that hyperscale data centers place a heavy burden on local communities while giving very little back to the taxpayer. These facilities consume massive amounts of electricity and water, which essentially strains local infrastructure and drives up utility costs for families, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. There are also concerns about large tax incentives being handed out to billion-dollar tech companies while local residents continue paying higher property taxes (HB 1005, Co-Sponsor Rep. Mike Weisgram). We don’t get any tax holidays, so why should they? In rural states like South Dakota, people are protective of private property rights, agriculture, and our way of life. Citizens worry that hyperscale developments can permanently alter rural landscapes and create dependence on outside corporations that may not share our values or long-term interests.

How they’d address those concerns

I would push for strong safeguards to ensure taxpayers are not left subsidizing billion-dollar companies. If these facilities want to operate here, they should pay their fair share for infrastructure, energy demand, and long-term maintenance costs rather than shifting the burden onto working families, farmers, and small businesses. We also need clear protections for our power grid, water resources, and agricultural communities. South Dakota’s economy and identity are built on agriculture, energy independence, and responsible growth, not some corporate giveaway. Economic development is important, but it must be sustainable and centered around the interests of South Dakotans first.