A proposal by MillCompute LLC to develop an artificial intelligence data and technology center in Bates Mill No. 3 in downtown Lewiston was unanimously voted down by City Council Tuesday night.
The proposal called for using 85,000 square feet of the vacant property at 140 Mill St. and creating up to 30 jobs.
City Council rejected the proposal by a vote of 7-0.........................
...............................Over 100 residents had communicated their opposition to the project ahead of Tuesday night’s council meeting and another 15 spoke against it during the standing-room-only meeting at Lewiston City Hall.
Concerns cited included environmental impact, potential electricity rate hikes, whether the developer had a proven track record for this type of project and if there wasn’t a better use for the former mill.......................
...........................“Downtowns should be for people, not machines.”........................
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Lewiston says ‘no’ to proposed AI data and technology center for Bates Mill
by Long Islander
11 hours ago
December 17, 2025
EXCERPTS
By Tina Fischer
A proposal by MillCompute LLC to develop an artificial intelligence data and technology center in Bates Mill No. 3 in downtown Lewiston was unanimously voted down by City Council Tuesday night.
The proposal called for using 85,000 square feet of the vacant property at 140 Mill St. and creating up to 30 jobs.
City Council rejected the proposal by a vote of 7-0.........................
...............................Over 100 residents had communicated their opposition to the project ahead of Tuesday night’s council meeting and another 15 spoke against it during the standing-room-only meeting at Lewiston City Hall.
Concerns cited included environmental impact, potential electricity rate hikes, whether the developer had a proven track record for this type of project and if there wasn’t a better use for the former mill.......................
...........................“Downtowns should be for people, not machines.”........................
https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/lewiston-says-no-to-proposed-ai-data-and-technology-center-for-bates-mill
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Fair Use Notice: This website may reproduce or have links to copyrighted material the use of which has not been expressly authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material available, without profit, as part of our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, economic, scientific, and related issues. It is our understanding that this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided by law. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.