Efforts to improve Connecticut’s position as a potential host for data centers appear to be stuck in neutral at the moment, despite an increased focus on artificial intelligence and how the two are intertwined. To qualify for the 20-year term of incentives, data centers must make a qualified investment in the site of $50 million if the site is in an opportunity zone or $200 million if it is not. For a 30-year term, the investment must be $200 million in an opportunity zone and $400 million elsewhere. Fred Carstensen, who is a professor at the University of Connecticut School of Business and the director of the state Center for Economic Analysis, is troubled by the lack of emphasis state officials have on data centers. We don’t have a cohesive strategy for this (data centers),” Carstensen said. “Connecticut was the most important state in the industrial revolution. But we’ve lost our mojo.”
https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/efforts-to-develop-ct-data-center-hug-in-limbo-19542976.php