Jim Willard: Don’t let Vermont miss the AI boom

Dear Editor,

Where many people see risk, they should seek opportunity instead.

Some very large companies with deep pockets are desperate to find places to build artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, thanks to resistance in many states. Amazon recently announced a $12 billion data-center expansion, and Google has signed long-term power deals to support new facilities. Vermont is desperate to solve systemic and intertwined problems, including lack of affordable housing, not enough young families and employees, affordable health care and stable electric and energy costs.

by Austyn Gaffney
February 24, 2026, 3:38 pmFebruary 25, 2026, 11:22 pm

A Google, Microsoft or Amazon entity could come into the state — as IBM did decades ago, transforming much of Vermont’s economy for the better — to build data centers in return for lower (not higher) electricity prices for residential consumers, achieved by spreading fixed costs over a broader customer base, and providing affordable housing for those who would support the centers. Vermont can negotiate community benefit agreements with AI companies, including commitments to infrastructure improvements, workforce investment and other local priorities. AI is not going away; the economic growth potential for any community that supports AI is huge.

This may sound unrealistic and unacceptable to some anti-business, keep-Vermont-small types. But the Googles, Amazons and Microsofts of the world have deep…

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