A local organizer framed the outcome as a victory against Big Tech and private equity, emphasizing community-led development over data-center projects.

The article situates the decision within the broader national surge of data centers, underscoring policy challenges in balancing economic development with environmental and community impacts.

Climate Revolution NJ publicized a video of the rejection, which gained significant traction on social media and helped amplify the anti-data-center message.

Residents at a large turnout meeting voiced strong concerns that a proposed AI data center would drive up electricity and water bills and strain local resources, fueling public opposition.

Activists and community advocates, including Climate Revolution NJ, highlighted environmental impacts and higher utility costs from data centers, with social media amplification of the stance.

The debate centered on environmental footprint and utility cost increases for residents, influencing decisionmakers and community leaders who spoke against the project.

The site at 100 Jersey Avenue sits in the Jersey-Sandford Redevelopment Plan Area, described as a challenging blighted area slated for housing and mixed-use redevelopment.

New Brunswick’s location in the New York tri-state area positions it within a wider data center hub, adding regional context to the debate.

City officials ultimately amended the redevelopment plan to remove data centers as a permitted use after sustained opposition.

Analysts note that job creation from data centers is often overstated and that operations require comparatively few full-time staff versus construction and ongoing maintenance.

Hundreds attended the public meeting, and applause followed the cancellation of the data-center proposal, with officials sharing the council meeting video for public viewing.

Residents debated affordable-housing targets, with some pushing for 20 percent of the 600 planned units, while officials maintained current plans meet or exceed obligations.