A woman from Kentucky declined an offer of 26 million dollars for her farm, which was planned to be converted into a data processing center. According to a recent report by WKRC, last year a “large artificial intelligence company” offered Ida Huddleston and her family this amount for the sale of part of their land to build a future data processing center.
Huddleston and her family refused, stating that they do not want a data processing center either nearby or on any of their 1,200 acres of farmland outside Maysville, Kentucky. This farm in northern Kentucky has belonged to the family of Ida Huddleston for many generations.
Reasons for refusal and concerns
The 82-year-old Huddleston told Local 12 WKRC: “They call us old foolish farmers, you know, but that’s not true.” She added: “We know when our food is gone, our land is gone, and we have no water — and that poison. Well, we know we’ve already had that.” She likely referred to the recent water shortages and soil contamination widely reported in areas near data processing centers.
In an interview with the TV channel, Huddleston expressed doubt that the data processing center would create jobs or provide economic growth for Mason County. “It’s a scam,” she stated.
Company’s revised plans
According to the report, the company, whose name WKRC did not disclose, revised its plans and submitted a request to change the zoning for the transfer of more than 2,000 acres in northern Kentucky. This means that the artificial intelligence firm can still build its data processing center near Huddleston’s land.
Source: WKRC
