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President Donald Trump this week told data-center builders to stop whining and start paying their neighbors. On his Truth Social feed he urged companies to give communities a “dividend” and to make their own electricity, selling any extra back to the local grid. It’s a blunt, market-minded fix to a political headache — and it deserves a straight answer from conservatives who care about growth, local control and ratepayers.
Trump’s pitch: pay the community, make your own power
The president didn’t whisper. He said developers should “pay the community, and/or individuals within the community, a ‘dividend,’” and that new big data centers should produce their own power and give excess electricity back to neighbors. That’s both a carrot and a nudge: pay people directly and don’t let projects dump higher utility costs on local families. It’s simple politics and simple economics rolled into one short post.
Why this matters right now
This push comes as voters get nervous about data centers and about artificial intelligence. Polling shows most Americans don’t want a data center built next door, and rural communities are especially wary. Governors and county officials are sensing the heat and putting moratoriums or rules in place. Trump’s move is political timing — yes — but it also recognizes a real problem: projects stalled by local opposition cost jobs and investment for everyone.
Real-world tests: Project Hazelnut and other deals
We already have test cases. One developer offered conditional $10,000 grants per household in a Pennsylvania town as part of a larger benefits package. Some residents called it a bribe and legal fights followed. Other counties have rejected big benefit packages after pushback. Meanwhile, the White House and some companies have promised to cover power hookup costs so ratepayers don’t get stuck with big bills. The lesson is clear: money helps, but secrecy and poor design make offers look shady.
What conservatives should demand
Conservatives should like this idea — deal-making beats regulation when it protects families and spurs investment. But let’s be clear about the rules. Any “dividend” must be transparent, taxable, and tied to real public benefits, not hush-money to divide a town. Utilities and developers should sign binding agreements to pay for grid upgrades and not shift costs to local households. Most of all, local governments should keep control, insist on clear terms, and avoid heavy-handed federal mandates that invite endless litigation. Trump’s idea is practical: make projects pay their own way, protect ratepayers, and get the economy moving. If done right, communities win, companies win, and voters get fewer reasons to say no.
