WASHINGTON (TNND) — The U.S. is rapidly expanding its data center construction, with a large portion of new facilities coming to rural America.

New analysis from the Pew Research Center revealed over 1,500 are in development, with 67% being built outside urban areas.

The land is cheaper there and so the companies can pay less to be able to build the data centers,” Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of The Alliance for Secure AI told The National News Desk.

The analysis showed 87% of existing data centers are located in urban areas. But well over half of the new ones are heading to rural communities.

While Virginia, Texas and California have the most data centers currently operating, Virginia, Texas and Georgia lead the way when it comes to planned data centers. With 287, 170 and 141, respectively. A big part of the growth is artificial intelligence.

As we go to a more digital future and we see the rise of AI as part of that, you’re going to see more demand for data centers,” Steinhauser said.

According to the Pew Research Center, AI-optimized facilities need 50-150 kilowatts per rack. While traditional data centers need 10-15 kilowatts. Some critics argue that, aside from the massive amounts of energy that’s needed, the facilities provide few local jobs. In March, Democratic lawmakers Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-VT., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., announced the ‘AI Data Center Moratorium Act,’ aimed at pausing the development on new AI data center construction.

These data centers power thousands of high intensity computer chips that are processing at all times and require massive amounts of energy to operate,” Ocasio-Cortez said in March.

Since returning to the office, President Donald Trump has made data centers a priority. He signed an executive order in July 2025, declaring data centers critical national security infrastructure, as the U.S. works to secure technological dominance.

America is the country that started the AI race and as President of the U.S. I’m here today to declare that America is going to win it,” Trump said in July 2025.Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

This week, the first-ever moratorium on AI data centers passed in the Maine legislature. The measure, which is now headed to Democratic Governor Janet Mills, would pause all approvals for any center requiring over 20 megawatts of power until October 2027. Mills said Friday that she hasn’t decided whether or not to sign it.