Kraft Group seeks to build collection of data centers in central Mass., officials say

Key Points:

• The Kraft Group has proposed a $16 billion data center project in Sutton, Massachusetts, expected to be completed by 2033 and drawing 900 megawatts of power, enough to supply a sizable city.
• The project faces strong local opposition due to concerns over increased electricity rates, high water consumption, noise, and environmental impacts, with Governor Maura Healey issuing an executive order requiring local approval for new data centers in the state.
• If approved, the data center would generate significant property tax revenue for Sutton, potentially reducing local residents' tax bills substantially, as the town currently has a $40 million annual budget.
• Massachusetts has been an unattractive location for large data centers due to high electricity rates and costs, but the growing AI industry is driving demand for more distributed data center infrastructure, including in New England.
• Political opposition to data centers is growing nationally, with recent elections and local referendums showing resistance to new projects amid concerns about environmental impact and AI's broader societal effects.