Dear Editor:

I’ve read through the recently released communications between Wiscasset government officials and the developer interested in building a hyperscale AI data center on Old Ferry Road. There were plenty of things to raise alarm, such as the revelation that this data center would have used energy equal to 60% of that currently consumed by the entire state of Maine. And the developer made very clear that significant tax incentives, such as property tax abatements would be expected from the town. But what continues to nag at me is the simple fact that town officials were in deep conversation with this developer for nearly eight months before the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) was signed and not once did they feel the need to bring it to the attention of Wiscasset citizens.

The initial email tossing out the concept of a data center was sent to our economic development officer on Nov. 7, 2024 and conversations were in full swing by December, yet the NDA was not signed until Aug. 19, 2025. It’s also worth noting that months before signing the NDA, legal counsel warned town officials that pursuing the data center would jeopardize the $240,000 grant Wiscasset had received to pursue workforce housing, the grant we ultimately lost.

It’s been argued that town officials were simply exploring a potential development project, but other potential projects have been announced publicly. Earlier this summer, our economic development officer made a presentation highlighting various business and housing projects, some of which appeared to be no further along than the discussions with the data center developer. So why all the secrecy? Why did no one feel the need to present a project on the magnitude of a hyperscale AI data center to the community? I believe, to truly act in the best interest of the community, at some point in the eight months prior to signing the NDA, town officials should have brought this project to the attention of the public.

Kim Dolce

Wiscasset