FLINT, MI—This past Tuesday, construction was completed on a new Blackstone-owned artificial-intelligence-focused data center in the city of Flint, Michigan. Flint, which has experienced infamy in recent years for the presence of lead contamination in its water supply, now stands to lose its water supply entirely.
While there has been intense criticism and pushback—the homeless shelter and local package store both had to be tore down for construction of the center—companies like Blackstone have defended their project, citing potential benefits of building a data center in historically marginalized communities, such as the creation of jobs or the cultivation of community. In fact, Blackstone has announced plans to include programs aimed towards these goals in their Flint project. Programs such as summer daycare, a special needs program, and minimum wage job fairs.
“We are committed to the dual goals of being both a highly profitable machine for the country’s shift into an automated surveillance state, as well as your friendly neighborhood rec center,” the head of the Blackstone-Flint project announced.
While citizens of Flint have expressed deep apprehension, head of the Michigan Black Republicans, Tiffany Edwins, says she’s “excited” to see new developments. “Now, there’s real hope for Flint.”