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Economy

Janesville becomes an AI data center battleground

Artificial intelligence is fueling stock market highs, economic growth and a construction boom across the country, but it is also igniting fierce local debates about the benefits, the costs and whether data centers that power AI should be built at all.

PBS News Hour

August 2, 2026 • South Central Region

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Once a symbol of the Great Recession, Janesville has become a AI data center battleground.

PBS Newshour

By Paul Solman and Maea Lenei Buhre, PBS NewsHour

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Janesville becomes an AI data center battleground

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