A Kentucky mother and daughter have turned down huge sums of money after being asked to sell their family land.
Ida Huddleston, 82, said she was contacted by a Fortune 100 company interested in buying her 71 acres in Mason County, Kentucky, with an offer worth millions.
Her daughter, Delsia Bare, reported being approached by the same firm about her separate 463-acre property.
According to the family, Ida’s proposed deal totalled $4.26 million, while Delsia’s offer topped $22 million.
Despite the scale of the bids, both women declined to sell. They also say the company’s repeated attempts to secure the land are wearing thin.
So what made them say no?
The company is said to want the properties as part of plans to build a data center. Ida and Delsia believe that kind of development could harm their community, and say that the pressure to sell has only strengthened their determination to hold onto the land.
Speaking to LEX 18, Ida said: “I said I don’t want your money, I don’t need your money, but I do feel sorry for everybody around us.”
Another issue for the family is that the business behind the offers has not disclosed its identity, which they say makes the decision even clearer.
“When they will not reveal who they are that’s a major player in what you’re going to do with the rest of your life if you are stuck here or even if you are leaving here,” said Delsia.
LEX 18 reports that other landowners in the area have also been contacted about selling, while local officials have suggested a project of this size could deliver major economic change.
Tyler McHugh, economic development director at the Maysville-Mason County Industrial Development Authority, said: “As far as jobs would go, they would become, if not our largest employer, definitely top three.”
Delsia, however, questioned how many long-term roles the facility would truly bring to the region, saying: “My guess is you won’t have over 50 and they won’t even be here at this building when it’s said and done.”
Ida also remains firm on her decision, adding: “I’m staying put.”
Beyond jobs, there are broader concerns tied to data centers, which have been built at increasing rates in recent years. Critics often point to environmental issues, including potential pollution and heavy water usage.
There are also fears about electricity demand, as large-scale data operations can place substantial strain on local power grids.