Alabama Data Centers, Montgomery’s $375M Bond, & Magic City Academy | Craig Monger

Data centers are rapidly becoming one of Alabama’s most controversial political and economic issues—but are they inevitable, and what protections should communities demand?

On this episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, Bryan Dawson is joined by investigative journalist Craig Monger for a wide-ranging discussion about proposed data centers in Alabama, including projects in Bessemer and Lowndes County. They examine concerns surrounding power-grid capacity, water usage, environmental impact, noise, tax incentives, local transparency and whether these developments will truly benefit Alabama communities.

Dawson and Monger also discuss Montgomery’s proposed $375 million bond issue, the city’s crime and policing problems, and whether large entertainment and development projects can solve deeper cultural and economic challenges.

The conversation then turns to Craig’s reporting on Magic City Acceptance Academy, Birmingham AIDS Outreach, federal grant funding and questions surrounding Alabama’s education bureaucracy and textbook-selection process.

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