Trump tells companies to pay 'dividend' to communities to make data centres popular

President Donald Trump has proposed an idea to make data centres more popular with local communities: paying a dividend to them. This concept comes as a response to concerns over the environmental impact of data centres, including high energy and water usage. The US President has closely monitored the situation and concluded that when financial agreements are made to address locals' concerns, such projects become more popular.

Trump has mandated that data centres must generate their own electricity and offer or sell any surplus back to the local community or grid to offset energy price hikes. In 2026, at least 47 large-scale projects were delayed, and over 1000 communities sought moratoria, caps, or environmental limits on AI infrastructure. Despite this, US AI infrastructure spending is expected to surpass $10 trillion between 2025 and 2032.

While some data centre projects have proceeded after concluding agreements with local authorities, known as Community Benefits Agreements or CBAs, public opinion hasn't changed significantly. Meta, for instance, struck a controversial deal in El Paso, Texas, only to face resistance from the local council, which voted against cancelling the plan.

To appease the community, the governor agreed to a deal with Meta that includes Meta paying for electrical infrastructure, reusing water, and eliminating dependence on taxpayer-funded incentives. Other initiatives, such as the Lancaster AI Hub in Pennsylvania and the 280-acre data centre campus in De Soto, Kansas, offer locals utility and property tax credits, aiming to provide recurring tax revenue, job creation, and other economic benefits.