The Journal. The Journal.

A Data Center Offered $26 Million for Her Land. She Said No.

Sep 9, 2026 · 28m

Summary

This episode follows Delcia Bear and her mother Ida in Maysville, Kentucky, as they refuse a $26 million offer to sell their family farm for a massive AI data center. Delcia, who is nearly blind, views the project through a religious lens, equating AI with the biblical antichrist and prioritizing her ancestral land over the financial windfall. The story highlights the deep community divide, featuring neighbors who support the development for economic reasons and a local bar owner caught in the middle. The segment concludes with Delcia’s determination to remain on her property, even if the d…

Topics discussed

Off-road introduction with Delcia in Maysville Delcia's childhood, horses, and breaking Rebel The $26 million offer and the data center threat Show intro and sponsor segment Tour of Ida's home and the bats in the chimney Local wildlife and invasive species lore Why Delcia rejected the money and broke the contract Religious beliefs and AI as the Antichrist Environmental concerns and official regulations National support and songs inspired by the fight Lawsuits against neighbors and community tension Suspicions that Meta is behind the project Transition to the Thirsty Beaver bar Inside the Thirsty Beaver and owner Danielle Rees Economic benefits and job creation arguments Bar rules and avoiding political arguments Patron perspectives on noise and land value Danielle's stance and proximity to the site Delcia's late husband and son's custody Feeding cattle and the original homestead Gravestones, cholera, and spiritual visions Son's vision of the girls and final resolve Outro and credits
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