Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, a first‑term U.S. Senator and former Auburn football coach, announced that his campaign received a $25,000 contribution from Applied Digital Corporation. Applied Digital, a Dallas‑based technology firm, is one of several developers seeking to build a large data‑center complex on 1,300 acres of land near Brookwood, Alabama.
The donation was reported to OpenSecrets, a campaign‑finance watchdog, and appears on the senator’s most recent filing. While Applied Digital has not publicly confirmed construction plans for the Brookwood parcel, county property records show the company’s ownership of the land. Brookwood officials have signed a non‑disclosure agreement with the developer, limiting the details they can share.
Senator’s stance on data‑center development
Tuberville has been an outspoken champion of data‑center growth, describing the facilities as a “gold mine” for tax revenue and public services. He argues that opposition to the projects is fueled by foreign disinformation campaigns, claiming China and Russia seek to undermine the U.S. economy by casting data centers in a negative light.
Addressing past environmental concerns, the senator acknowledged that early data‑center sites generated noise and pollution but insisted that modern technology has resolved those issues. Speaking at the Alabama Sheriff’s Association’s summer conference, he dismissed lingering complaints as “bull crap.”
Local reaction and upcoming public meeting
Opposition to the Brookwood project is growing. Democratic Senate candidate Doug Jones has called for a one‑year moratorium on new data‑center construction in Alabama, citing noise and energy‑use concerns. In Congress, West Alabama Democrat Representative Terri Sewell has introduced legislation seeking a nationwide pause on such projects.
A public meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday in Brookwood, where 50 local residents who signed up will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed development.
Senator’s broader policy goals
Tuberville has likened the rapid expansion of data centers to the “space race” of the 1950s and 60s, emphasizing the sector’s potential to boost the state’s economy. He has also urged Alabama Power to limit the impact of massive energy consumption on residential electricity bills, arguing that utilities should protect consumers from rising costs.
While the senator has previously criticized long‑term tax breaks for hyperscale data centers, calling them unnecessary for companies that already have substantial cash reserves, he continues to promote the industry as a cornerstone of Alabama’s future growth.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
