A rural county in southern Ohio is moving ahead with plans for what could become the world’s largest artificial intelligence data center, even as similar projects face resistance in other parts of the country.

The proposed campus would be built on the grounds of the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, a Cold War-era uranium enrichment facility in Pike County. Local leaders and many residents have embraced the project, viewing it as a major economic opportunity for an area that has struggled for new investment. The project was unveiled at a high-profile announcement in March that drew federal officials and elected leaders to the county.

Across the U.S., data centers tied to AI development have become a growing source of controversy. Critics have argued that they can consume huge amounts of electricity, put pressure on power grids and create concerns about noise and pollution. In many communities, those worries have fueled protests and public pushback. Pike County, however, appears to be taking a different path.

Supporters in southern Ohio say the project could bring long-term benefits to a region that has seen industrial decline over decades. The site already has a legacy as a major energy and infrastructure location, which proponents say makes it a practical place for a large-scale data operation. The federal government has also framed the project as part of a broader effort to repurpose the old nuclear complex for new economic uses.

The announcement featured renderings of the planned facilities, including power infrastructure and the AI data center itself. Officials described the effort as ambitious in scope, with the potential to set a model for similar developments elsewhere. The proposed buildout would take place on the footprint of the old PORTS facility, turning land once associated with nuclear materials into a hub for digital computing.

Local coverage suggests the community’s response has been notably positive, especially compared with the opposition seen in other states. Rather than staging protests, many residents and leaders in Pike County have welcomed the idea, hoping the project will bring jobs, investment and renewed attention to the area.

The plan remains part of a broader national debate over the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. As companies and governments race to build the computing power needed for advanced artificial intelligence, communities are weighing the promise of economic development against the potential environmental and utility impacts.

For Pike County, the project represents both a symbolic and practical transformation. A site once central to America’s nuclear weapons program could soon host a facility intended to support the next generation of AI technology. Whether the project becomes a template for future developments will likely depend on how it balances local benefits with the concerns that have made large data centers a flashpoint elsewhere.