Three: When the Data Center Came to Town

Karen Ridley, a Zumba instructor and data technician at Google, and Thomas Gamble, facilities manager at Google with a rich background in hydropower, discuss the surprising integration of data centers in rural communities. They explore how the arrival of a major data center in Bridgeport, Alabama, has reshaped local economies and created new job opportunities. The guests share personal stories about resilience amidst industrial decline and the community's evolving relationship with technology, highlighting the transition from traditional coal energy to a greener, digital future.