The Data Center Debate

By state

Data centers in Maine

4 data centers and projects on our map in Maine, including 2 projects we track in detail. Each one links to its source. Below: where they are by county, the projects in the news, and the latest reporting from both sides.

See Maine on the map. Existing facilities come from OpenStreetMap, a community-maintained public map that is incomplete; proposed, under construction and blocked projects are tracked one by one from news, filings and official records.

Projects in the news

Blocked, paused or withdrawn City Council voted unanimously November 3, 2026 to make the city's moratorium permanent by removing data centers from its only permitted zone.

Westbrook Standalone Data Center Ban

Westbrook, Cumberland County

Westbrook banned standalone data centers citywide, removing them as a permitted use in the Rock Row Contract Zone. The ordinance still allows small server rooms inside existing businesses.

Issues raised: opposition, zoning

Source: Yahoo News, 2026-11-03 · On the map

Proposed site location and air emissions permit application filed with Maine DEP 2026-11-09

Jay Paper Mill Data Center

Jay, Franklin · Operator: Main Land Development Consultants (intended user Sentinel Data Centers)

$550 million · announced 2026-11-09

A developer filed environmental permit applications with Maine regulators to convert the former International Paper mill in Jay into a data center, reviving a project that was shelved earlier in the year. The developer said it intends to work with Sentinel Data Centers; no end user has been publicly confirmed.

Issues raised: air-pollution, water, jobs

Source: Maine Public, 2026-11-09 · On the map

By county

  • Cumberland County 1 on the map
    Westbrook Standalone Data Center Ban
  • Franklin 1 on the map
    Jay Paper Mill Data Center

Latest news from Maine

Cited by both sides local November 9, 2026

Developer revives plan to turn former Jay paper mill into $550 million data center

Main Land Development Consultants filed a Maine Department of Environmental Protection permit application to redevelop the shuttered Androscoggin paper mill in Jay as a roughly $550 million AI data center, teaming again with the national partner that pulled out in June. Governor elect Hannah Pingree said on November 10 that Jay should not be a testing ground for data centers before the state has stronger rules in place.

Bangor Daily News Jobs Local property tax revenue Local opposition and consent Siting, zoning and standards

Check it: The deal is not final; the December public meeting and a DEP review are still pending.

Cited by both sides local November 9, 2026

Developer files Maine environmental permit application to turn former Jay paper mill into a data center

Main Land Development Consultants filed a permit application with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to convert the former International Paper mill in Jay into a data center, reviving a roughly $550 million project that was shelved in June. The developer plans to seek a site location permit and an air emissions license and said it intends to work with Sentinel Data Centers.

Maine Public Siting, zoning and standards Air quality and on-site power Jobs

Check it: This is an application, not an approval; the DEP accepts public comments once the permit is docketed, and no end user operator has been publicly confirmed.

Supports the case against local November 3, 2026

Westbrook, Maine city council unanimously bans standalone data centers

The Westbrook City Council voted unanimously to prohibit standalone data centers, following a June moratorium. Mayor David Morse cited environmental and infrastructure concerns, while the ordinance still allows small server rooms within existing businesses.

Yahoo News Local opposition and consent Siting, zoning and standards

Check it: The ordinance removes data centers from the Rock Row Contract Zone, confirm whether a prior development agreement at that site survives.

Weighing it up

For the arguments behind these fights, see the case for data centers, the case against, and the questions people ask, each answered from both sides.