‘The Dungeon’: US data centre boom divides Massachusetts neighbourhood

In Lowell, Massachusetts, the arrival of a data center dubbed "the Dungeon" has divided the neighborhood. Retiree Eileen Castle, 82, has been unable to enjoy her backyard due to noise, dust, mist from cooling towers, and potential health risks from Legionnaires' disease. Markley Group, the company operating the facility, claims its backup diesel generators operate for only five-minute tests weekly, producing minimal noise and testing water for Legionnaires' disease twice a year.

Markley also planted 2,000 trees on the site. The city council granted Markley a 20-year property tax break estimated at $77 million in 2015, which has since cooled.

Contractor Louis Haas, 50, supports the data center, stating that the boom has been beneficial for contractors. He admits he is a Democrat but emphasizes his support for jobs and the economy. Sarah Bibeau, a single mother of two, also praises the company for being kind and considerate, fixing roads, and offering various favors. However, detractors like Jake Fortes, a travel agent and founder of "Honest Future for Lowell," feel betrayed by their elected representatives. Fortes believes the company has steamrolled the community, and his property sits on the fence line.

Luz Marte, a 38-year-old lab technician who recently bought a house near the data center, has experienced increased insurance premiums, which she attributes to the presence of the facility. As the controversy surrounding data centers continues to polarize communities across the United States, the impact on local residents and their quality of life remains a significant concern.