Augusta, Maine — In case you missed it, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Northeast Region Director Ross Connolly penned a piece in the Wall Street Journal highlighting how large‑scale projects like data centers are reshaping local and regional economies, and why Maine’s current policy direction could push that investment elsewhere.
In the letter titled “Maine Shouldn’t Miss the Infrastructure Boom,” Connolly underscores the stakes for Maine’s economic future, warning that policymakers risk sidelining the state from a once-in-a-generation infrastructure and technology boom.
In case you missed it…
Letter to the Editor: Maine Shouldn’t Miss the Infrastructure Boom | Wall Street Journal
Regarding your editorial on Maine’s proposed data center moratorium (“The Democratic Race to the Left,” April 8): The last thing the state needs is a policy that deters investment at a moment of economic fragility. A moratorium risks pushing long-term growth elsewhere.
The U.S. is in an AI-driven investment boom reshaping where capital and jobs flow. A moratorium signals uncertainty to companies deciding where to build, and in a fast-moving sector, even a temporary pause can redirect projects permanently. States that pause development forgo jobs, tax revenue, and a foothold in the AI economy. Data centers offer a rare opportunity for states like Maine. They can repurpose underused industrial sites and support local employment.
States that welcome these facilities will attract investment, while those that hesitate will see projects shift to competitors such as New Hampshire. Maine faces a straightforward choice: compete for this investment or cede it to others. A moratorium would send the wrong signal at the wrong time.
Read the letter here.
