Mother and Daughter Rejected $26M Offer to Sell Farmland to Build 2,000-Acre Data Center, but Say Others Haven’t

In a bold stand against urban development, a Kentucky mother and daughter duo are speaking out after decisively rejecting an offer exceeding £26 million to sell their ancestral farmland for a prospective data centre. Delsia Bare, alongside her 82-year-old mother, Ida Huddleston, firmly believe that their land holds more value than the substantial monetary offer extended by an anonymous Fortune 100 company.

The two women, who own several hundred acres of farmland near Maysville, have deep ties to their property. Bare emphasised their familial legacy, stating, “My grandfather and great-grandfather and a whole bunch of family have all lived here for years, paid taxes on it, and fed a nation off of it.” She highlighted their historical contribution to food production, recalling times when their land played a crucial role in sustaining the country during the Great Depression.

Ida Huddleston has flatly rejected offers of £60,000 per acre for her 71-acre property, while Bare turned down a £48,000-per-acre offer for her 463 acres. Both women expressed concerns that the motivations behind these overtures are less about business and more akin to psychological pressure tactics. “What they’ve proposed and carried on, it’s not a business deal, it’s a mind harassment,” Huddleston explained, reflecting their struggle against perceived corporate intimidation.

Despite their refusal, the proposed data centre project remains a point of contention within the local community. In December, another farm owner, Andy Grosser, alongside his father, turned down an offer of nearly £8 million for their land, which is also targeted for the site. However, Bare noted that some local residents have agreed to sell their properties, indicating that the project may still proceed without their involvement.

Recent public hearings on this contentious issue have taken place, wherein it was revealed that the anonymous company seeking to build the data centre possesses contracts ready for signing to acquire 28 properties. The company’s identity is shrouded in secrecy, largely due to confidentiality agreements that remain in place. According to local officials, the company’s name will likely only become public once all transactions are formalised and the essential zoning changes are validated.

Tyler McHugh, who serves as the economic development director for the Maysville-Mason County Industrial Development Authority, has publicly stated that the project could generate a considerable number of jobs, estimating 400 full-time positions along with more than 1,500 construction roles. Such potential economic benefits have sparked mixed reactions among residents and stakeholders, as some view the economic uplift as an opportunity, whereas others see it as a threat to their way of life.

Public meetings held by the Joint Planning Commission at Maysville Community and Technical College have drawn considerable local interest. The initial session, characterised by friction and dispute, saw attorney Hank Graddy attempting, unsuccessfully, to compel officials to disclose the identity of the company behind the proposal. “This project needs to be transparent, and the community deserves to know who is looking to take this land,” he stated.

As debate continues to swirl around the proposed data centre, Graddy has indicated plans to file a lawsuit aimed at obstructing the potential zoning change required for development. The absence of a response from officials regarding this legal action and the ongoing discussions has added to the community’s uncertainty.

Bare and Huddleston’s firm position highlights the broader philosophical conflict between agricultural preservation and modern industrialisation. With her statement, “They call us old stupid farmers, but we’re not,” Huddleston encapsulates a sentiment reflective of many rural landowners feeling disconnected from the forces that aim to transform their landscapes.

The story of these Kentucky farmers resonates at a time when rural communities face increasing pressures from expansionist development agendas. As tensions unfold, the outcome will likely serve as a significant case study in the interplay between economic development and the preservation of local heritage.