Lewiston City Council shoots down data center proposal | Maine Public

Lewiston city councilors unanimously rejected a proposal to build an A.I. data center in the Bates Mill complex after significant public opposition, including protests and concerns about environmental and economic impacts. Residents expressed that the project could have been beneficial but was not feasible under current constraints. The developer's request for a 20-year tax increment finance agreement also faced criticism, with calls for more support for small businesses instead. City officials acknowledged the need for careful consideration of future data center proposals.