Loretta Rivers – Build For Families, Not Machines

Loretta Rivers, Piscataway Board of Education representative and former Assembly candidate

I’m not against innovation, not against economic development, and not against technology but I do stand in favor of people and in favor of families who need a place to live.

People, NJ residents are being asked to weigh two very different futures for their community, affordable housing or a new data center. On paper, the data center promises investment. But when you look deeper, you see significant trade-offs.

First, there is land. Data centers require vast, flat parcels, sometimes hundreds or even thousands of acres. They can afford to pay a premium for that land. Affordable housing developers simply cannot compete at that price point. When prime land is rezoned for industrial tech use, we permanently reduce space for homes. And once that land is gone, it’s gone.

Second, there is infrastructure. A single AI-powered data center can consume as much electricity as 100,000 homes. That level of demand strains our energy grid. If our utilities are forced to prioritize powering servers over powering neighborhoods, what happens to future housing development? What happens to families already struggling with rising utility costs? Add to that the massive water consumption required for cooling systems, and we must ask: are we building infrastructure for machines, or for residents?

Third, we must consider the economic impact. While data centers bring large capital investments, they generate relatively few permanent local jobs once construction is complete. Affordable housing, by contrast, supports construction jobs, stabilizes families, strengthens school enrollment, supports local businesses, and creates long-term community anchors.

And finally, we must consider who benefits. Affordable housing ensures that teachers, first responders, seniors on fixed incomes, and young families can remain in the communities they serve. Without housing affordability, we risk becoming a place where only the highest earners can live.

Now, I am not saying we reject development outright. If townships choose to pursue a data center, then it must come with clear community benefits and dedicated funding for housing trust funds, infrastructure investments that expand grid capacity for residents first, and firm commitments that protect our water supply.

We must be honest and transparent about our priorities.

A data center stores information.
Affordable housing builds stability.

A data center consumes power.
Affordable housing empowers people.

We have a choice between development that maximizes land value and development that maximizes human value.

Lets prioritize affordable housing, to protect our infrastructure for residents, and to ensure that growth in communities are measured not just in megawatts, but in families housed, children supported, and neighbors strengthened.

Thank you for your time
Loretta Rivers

Ms. Rivers writes in her personal capacity. The views expressed are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Piscataway Board of Education.