How Data Centers Are Rewiring America’s Local Economies

South Carolina Bulletin

Feb 10, 2026

Across the United States, small towns and mid sized cities are rolling out the red carpet for big tech. Data centers the physical backbone of the digital world are being heralded as a new industrial revolution, promising high paying jobs, infrastructure investments, and community revitalization. But beneath the surface, a far more complex, and at times unsettling, reality is emerging.

In places like Hillsboro, Oregon, vast stretches of farmland once devoted to tulips, grass seed, and small scale agriculture are giving way to sprawling rows of concrete, cooling towers, and power substations.

Farmer Aaron Nichols, whose 15 acre operation employs ten people, says local land prices have skyrocketed, pushing out farmers and small business owners alike. “Buying land is nearly impossible because people are holding out for windfall profits from tech developers,” he explains.

This speculative pressure fuels what economists call land lockout a cycle where traditional industries can no longer expand due to artificially inflated property prices. It doesn’t just hurt farmers, it chokes out local entrepreneurs, from mechanics to software startups.

https://samueleburns.substack.com/p/the-high-cost-of-the-ai-gold-rusheconomies

Mayorkas Secretly Lands at Think Tank Taking Millions From Foreign Governments, Soros, and CCP Spy Networks

 Former Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, has taken a position as a Visiting Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Concerns arise regarding the institution's connections with foreign governments, particularly China, and individuals like George Soros, which may reflect on Mayorkas's prior policies at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

1. Ties to Chinese Influence: Carnegie has a long history of collaboration with the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), a key player of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Evidence shows that Carnegie hosted CCP officials and collaborated with them even after financial support ended in 2017, maintaining ties through its Beijing office.

2. Collaboration with Chinese Institutions: Carnegie organizes dialogues with Chinese institutions like Tsinghua University. These discussions have become more significant following the CCP's increased control over the university, focusing on sensitive areas such as nuclear strategy and cybersecurity.

3. Funding from Soros and Foreign Governments: In 2023 alone, Carnegie received over $3 million from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, a major supporter of open-borders initiatives. This funding aligns with policies that reflect Mayorkas' tenure at DHS, which faced criticism for lacking strong border enforcement.

4. Support from Foreign Governments: Since 2019, Carnegie reportedly obtained over $10 million from foreign states, including notable funding from the UK, Canada, and India. This raises concerns about the influence of competing immigration policies on the research and perspectives presented at Carnegie.

5. Prior Engagement with Carnegie: Mayorkas was already engaging with Carnegie's Board of Trustees on topics of migration and security while still serving as DHS Secretary. This indicates a pre-existing relationship that could tie his policy decisions directly to his current role.

6. Suspicion of Motivations: The decision to join an institution funded by foreign entities is seen not as a casual career engagement but rather as an alignment with these entities’ agendas, suggesting that his DHS policies may have echoed those priorities.

Alejandro Mayorkas’ new role at the Carnegie Endowment raises concerns about the influence of foreign governments and ideologies on his past and present endeavors. His appointment exemplifies the intertwining of policymaking and foreign interests, prompting questions about motivations behind such career moves, especially following a significant tenure in government.

https://substack.com/home/post/p-187291995

THE WARMTH OF COLLECTIVISM: New York City Homeless Death Toll Jumps to 18 Amid Freezing Temps

In New York City, the homeless death toll has soared to 18 amid severe winter temperatures, raising concerns about Mayor Zohran Mamdani's policies regarding homelessness and public safety. The recent deaths have drawn criticism for the perceived ineffectiveness of the mayor's administration.

• Deaths Confirmed: Eighteen homeless individuals have died from exposure due to a cold spell in New York City.

• Mayor’s Policies: Mayor Mamdani has implemented a policy that prohibits police from dismantling homeless encampments or forcing people into shelters. Critics argue that this approach is causing preventable deaths among the homeless.

• Recent Fatalities: The latest victim, identified as 86-year-old Charles Williams, was found unresponsive on the street. Shelter worker Adam Faad, who discovered Williams, expressed his feelings of helplessness in the situation.

• Public Response: Many have expressed outrage over the deaths, questioning the mayor's commitment to addressing homelessness. Comments on social media suggest that had a moderate Democrat or a Republican been in charge, there would be significant public outrage and calls for accountability.

• Comparison to Historical Standards: The article suggests that such a high death toll is unprecedented and implies that underlying political ideologies are contributing to the crisis.

The alarming rise in homeless deaths in New York City has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of Mayor Mamdani's policies. Critics contend that the approach taken to manage homelessness is insufficient and that immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life. The situation poses serious questions about prioritizing the welfare of the city’s most vulnerable citizens during extreme weather conditions. 

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/warmth-collectivism-new-york-city-homeless-death-toll/

Clinton Judge Blocks California’s Law That Banned Masks For ICE Agents

A federal judge has ruled against a California law that prohibited federal law enforcement agents from wearing masks during operations. The decision came after a lawsuit was filed by the Trump Administration, arguing that the law violated constitutional principles.

• The federal law was challenged by California's "No Secret Police Act," which aimed to limit federal agents' ability to cover their identities.

• U. S. District Judge Christina Snyder blocked the enforcement of this law, stating that it violated the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause by treating federal officers differently from state and local officers.

• The judge acknowledged the Trump Administration's claim that agents need to wear masks to protect themselves from doxing but rejected the request to block California’s other law, the “No Vigilantes Act,” which requires law enforcement personnel to display identifying information while on duty.

• U. S. Attorney Bill Essayli commented on the victory for federal agents, criticizing California's Democratic politicians for misleading the public on the law's intentions.

• U. S. Attorney General Pam Bondi supported the ruling, emphasizing that federal agents often face harassment for their work and that the administration will continue to protect them.

The ruling is seen as a significant victory for federal law enforcement and maintains their ability to wear masks for identity protection during operations. This legal decision reflects ongoing tensions between state laws and federal authority, particularly concerning immigration enforcement activities. 

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/just-clinton-judge-blocks-californias-law-that-banned/

Struggling AI Startups Kept Afloat Despite Never Becoming Profitable

Artificial intelligence (AI) startups have been seen as key to future productivity, yet many are falling into a troubling category known as "zombie" companies. These startups remain operational despite not being able to cover their debts or operating costs, thanks to ongoing funding and support.

• Definition of Zombie Companies: These are startups that cannot generate enough returns but survive through additional capital infusions, debt restructuring, or investor reluctance to acknowledge losses.

• Financial Landscape: In 2025, AI and machine learning ventures made up over 65% of U. S. venture capital funding, totaling $222 billion. A significant portion of these AI startups are anticipated to fail, with almost 90% of all startups not succeeding.

• Global Perspective: Approximately 574 venture capital zombie companies in the U. S. and around 2,370 worldwide are reported, with a concerning growth rate of about 9% annually since 2010.

• Economic Impact: The existence of zombie companies diverts resources from potentially productive startups, which could hinder innovation and economic growth.

• Future Predictions: Experts suggest that as subsidies diminish, many AI startups may be left unable to survive due to a projected $800 billion revenue shortfall by 2030.

• Need for Sound Investment: While funding is crucial for startups, investing in unviable operations could limit overall innovation. Investors must balance risk and potential reward when allocating capital.

AI startups can easily become "zombies" if they are unable to achieve profitability. The continued support of these companies, despite their poor financial health, could have larger implications for the economy and future advancements in technology. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/ai/struggling-ai-startups-kept-afloat-despite-never-becoming-profitable

The Man Who Always Has Proof Tomorrow: Adam Schiff Cries Election Fraud Again

Adam Schiff, a California Democratic senator, has once again raised concerns about President Donald Trump potentially interfering in the upcoming midterm elections. He warns that Trump could attempt to subvert the elections by suppressing votes and overturning results if Republicans lose.

• Repeated Allegations: Schiff claims that Trump intends to undermine the elections, just as he allegedly did during the 2020 election. He warns of vote suppression and interference, although he does not provide concrete evidence for these claims.

• Echoing Past Themes: Schiff references past events, including the insurrection related to the 2020 election, to reinforce his current warnings about election interference. He suggests a sense of urgency for people to vote to counteract imagined threats.

• Criticism of Credibility: The article highlights that Schiff has a history of making bold claims without delivering verifiable proof. This includes previous promises of evidence regarding Russian collusion, which did not materialize.

• Political Strategy: Schiff, along with other Democratic leaders, appears to use a strategy of instilling fear about election integrity to galvanize support, despite lacking confirmed actions or evidence of ongoing interference.

• Public Skepticism: Due to the pattern of repeated false alarms, public trust in Schiffs statements has declined. The article notes that continuous unverified claims lead the public to become skeptical, viewing his predictions as unlikely.

The article suggests that Schiffs latest warnings about Trump reflect a familiar pattern of fear-based political messaging rather than a foundation of verified evidence. His historical track record of unsubstantiated claims has led many to disregard his statements, raising questions about his credibility and effectiveness in conveying the urgency of electoral integrity. As election day approaches, the article indicates that trust in such warnings is fading, and voters remain focused on real issues rather than political scare tactics. 

https://pjmedia.com/david-manney/2026/02/08/the-man-who-always-has-proof-tomorrow-adam-schiff-cries-election-fraud-again-n4949266

Defeating the Deep State's Inversion Matrix

Scott S. Powell discusses the current state of Judeo-Christian Western civilization, arguing it is under attack through a concept he calls the "inversion matrix. " This matrix promotes a distortion of truth, morality, and societal values, leading to widespread confusion and division.

• Reality Inversion: Powell connects contemporary issues, such as welfare fraud and political manipulation, to a deeper societal transformation that flips good and evil. He invokes historical references, such as Platos "Cave Allegory" and a passage from Isaiah, to illustrate the long-standing awareness of truth distortion.

• Cultural and Spiritual Attack: The author suggests that demonic forces have infiltrated American culture, manifesting in politics, education, and media. He cites recent political events, such as the inauguration of New York Citys Zohran Mamdani and Virginia Governor Abigail Spanbergers leftist policies, as examples of how this inversion has altered governance and societal norms.

• Mechanisms of the Inversion Matrix: The matrix operates through psychological manipulation and uses terms that create guilt and division, such as "privilege" and "oppression. " Powell argues that this language is designed to discourage constructive dialogue and enforce conformity to a dominant narrative.

• Two-Tiered Justice System: The perceived inconsistency in how justice is administered in America exemplifies the inversion matrix. Elites evade punishment for their actions while ordinary citizens face severe consequences. He references the political climate during Trumps presidency and the alleged manipulation of the 2020 election as evidence of these dynamics.

• Media Influence and Narrative Control: The narrative surrounding the January 6 Capitol protest is portrayed as a manipulation by the media, which Powell argues has shaped public perception in a way that protects elite interests and undermines dissent.

• Future Outlook and Re-establishing Normalcy: Powell emphasizes the need to reclaim traditional values and restore fairness in all societal systemsjustice, education, and governancesuggesting these changes could lead to improved societal outcomes.

Scott S. Powell argues that understanding the inversion matrix allows for clarity and insight into Americas challenges. By re-establishing truth and equity within societal structures, he believes the nation can move towards a more cohesive and just future. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/02/defeating_the_seep_state_s_inversion_matrix.html