"that while datacentres brought a limited number of jobs, potentially boosting the local econom"

Uh, no they fucking don't.

There will initially be a massive influx of construction workers that will overwhelm the local economy, drive up housing prices, then leave a gaping hole when they leave.

Even a massive data center would bring, MAYBE 100 jobs, and most of those won't be hired locally. Maybe some janitors or security.

Small communities are statistically worse off, hosting data centers, at least ones built by Google. They are one of the fucking worst. They run fast and loose, lie to elected and land owners alike, and just don't give a shit. They really think that people should be happy and proud that Google has chosen to put a data center there.

These large companies are run by sociopaths who manage via spreadsheets. They only look at profit margins for their decisions.

A Google site in Texas just arbitrarily closed down a county road that passes through part of the construction site.

Didn't get a permit, didn't notify police or fire of the road closure, AND DIDN'T EVEN FUCKING TALK TO A SINGLE ELECTED.

They are fucking psychopaths.