Shelbyville mayor calls data center opponents 'shitty houses' residents
Mayor Scott Furgeson dismisses critics of a $2B data center as living in 'shitty houses.'
A proposed $2 billion data center has become a political flashpoint in Shelbyville, Indiana. Mayor Scott Furgeson was caught on camera saying of the 'No Data Center' signs that, 'I’ve seen a lot of these all over town, but I only see them in shitty houses,' adding that most are rentals. The woman in the clip pushed back, noting the signs represent working-class residents. Another person reminded the mayor that 'it doesn’t matter whether they’re rentals, they’re still human beings.'
Residents were taken aback by the dismissive language. Alexas Williams, speaking to local NBC affiliate WTHR, called the words 'kind of disrespectful' and 'kind of hurtful.' The mayor has declined further comment, though a spokesperson issued a statement saying 'the mayor regrets that his choice of words may have caused offense.' The incident highlights tensions between local governments and communities over large-scale AI infrastructure projects.
- Mayor Scott Furgeson of Shelbyville, Indiana, was caught on video saying residents opposing a $2B data center live in 'shitty houses' and rentals.
- Resident Alexas Williams called the remarks 'kind of disrespectful' and 'kind of hurtful' in an interview with local NBC affiliate WTHR.
- The mayor's office released a statement of regret, but Furgeson has declined further comment amid community backlash.
Why It Matters
This incident underscores growing friction between local leaders and communities over controversial AI data center projects.