Family Turns Down Multimillion-Dollar Data Center Deal
A Kentucky family has rejected a $26 million offer to sell a portion of their farmland for development into an artificial intelligence data center, choosing instead to retain land that has been in their family for generations. According to reporting from WKRC, Ida Huddleston, 82, and her daughter Delsia Bare own approximately 1,200 acres of farmland near Maysville. [1]
Last April, an unnamed Fortune 100 technology company approached them about purchasing roughly half the property for a proposed data center. The family declined the lucrative proposal, citing a commitment to preserving agricultural land and their heritage. [2]
Details of the Offer and Property
The proposed data center project involved a major artificial intelligence company, according to multiple reports. The offer of $26 million was presented to the Huddleston family in 2025. [3] [4]
The family-owned farm, which has been operated for multiple generations, spans roughly 1,200 acres. The land has sustained the family through periods, including the Great Depression, according to family statements. The offer was estimated to be about ten times the going rate for farmland in the area. [5] [1]
Family’s Statement on the Decision
Family members cited a duty to steward the land for future generations as the primary reason for declining the multimillion-dollar offer. “$26 million doesn’t mean anything,” Delsia Bare stated in an interview with WKRC. “As long as I’m on this land, as long…” [1]
They expressed concerns about the industrialization of rural areas and the permanent loss of productive farmland. The family indicated they did not want a data center built near them or on any of their acreage, emphasizing the agricultural purpose and legacy of the property. [3] [4]
Local and Industry Context for Data Center Expansion
The region has seen increased interest from technology companies seeking sites for data centers, officials said. Economic development authorities noted such projects typically bring significant local tax revenue and construction jobs. [6]
Similar tensions have arisen in neighboring Mercer County, Kentucky, where residents recently rallied against a proposed data center complex slated for more than 500 acres of prime farmland. That project, which could bring nearly $30 million annually to local schools, was met with a petition garnering over 1,700 signatures and dozens of residents voicing opposition at a public meeting. [6]
Broader Tensions Over Land Use and Development
Similar conflicts between agricultural preservation and industrial development have occurred in other states, reports indicate. Advocates for farmland conservation argue that once converted, such land is rarely returned to agricultural use. [7]
Globally, there is a growing recognition of the need to protect dynamic local agriculture, especially smaller-scale, organic approaches that are less reliant on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The loss of farmland at the edge of urban areas is seen as a threat to local food systems and food security. [7] [8]
Implications and Reactions
The family’s decision has drawn mixed reactions from local residents and officials. The incident highlights ongoing debates about the economic and environmental future of rural communities, pitting immediate financial gains against long-term agricultural sustainability and heritage. [9]
Analysts note that the choice reflects a growing sentiment among some landowners who value food security and self-reliance over industrial development. As one report noted, farmers in Kentucky and across the U.S. are increasingly choosing “heritage, sustainability, and future food security over multimillion dollar offers.” [10]
References
- Family Rejects $26 Million Offer To Transform Farmland Into Data Center – “Stay And Hold And Feed A Nation”. – 100percentfedup.com. March 24, 2026.
- “$26M Means Nothing”: KY Woman Refuses to Sell Her Farm to AI. – dailyheadlines.com.
- Kentucky woman rejects $26 million offer to turn her farm into a data center. – TechCrunch.com. March 24, 2026.
- Family Turns Down Multimillion-Dollar Data Center Deal to Preserve Kentucky Farmland. – yourNEWS. March 24, 2026.
- Kentucky Family Rejects $26M Data Center Offer to Preserve Farm Legacy. – nationaltoday.com. March 23, 2026.
- Kentucky community rallies against data center on prime agricultural land. – NaturalNews.com. February 25, 2026.
- Carrot city creating places for urban agriculture. – Mark Gorgolewski.
- Backyard farming surges as Americans prepare for economic collapse and food scarcity. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. April 17, 2025.
- Residents In Small Town Voice Opposition For Proposal To Build Data Center On Farmland. – 100percentfedup.com. February 24, 2026.
- US Kentucky family turns down $26 million land deal for AI data center. – The Financial Express.
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