News from rural America.

New England's already high electricity prices have locals concerned about proposed AI data centers, three-quarters of Montana's school districts report decreased absenteeism due to on-site health clinics and Missouri expands its trail system.

TRANSCRIPT

For the Daily Yonder and Public News Service, this is the news from rural America.

As the nationwide expansion of data centers reaches New England, unanswered questions are causing some communities to pump the brakes.

Late last year, officials in rural Wisconset, Maine voted to pause plans for a $5 billion AI facility along the Back River, which empties into Maine's Casco Bay.

Richard Davis was among those who urged his town to break off negotiations to give them time to consider downsides seen in other areas.

Terms of water usage, electricity usage, air pollution, ground pollution, noise pollution, light pollution, and broken promises.

The response in Wiscoset echoes a data center moratorium proposed in Maine's legislature this year.

Seth Barry leads Our Power, a nonprofit that supports the pause.

There are just so many unknowns and we really have to slow this down and step back and look at this massive new development, preferably as a region.

Montana's school-based health clinics have surprising academic benefits, better attendance and fewer suspensions.

The clinics aren't new, but since a 2020 expansion, the Montana Healthcare Foundation says 70 percent of school districts report decreased absenteeism.

Todd Wester with Livingston Public Schools says the clinics keep students healthier while also creating a friendlier environment.

Having it just right there, we think allows students to stay more present in classes and just drop in.

The foundation's Kelsey Gummer says there are more than 80 clinics on campuses connected to more than a hundred schools with half in often underserved rural areas.

52 percent are available in rural areas.

So really increasing access to services and allowing kids to get services they wouldn't otherwise.

Gummer says they hope to add more clinics using 5 million out of the $230 million Montana's getting from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.

A Missouri project helping small communities construct connected trail networks is hoping to improve health and fitness and bring in visitors.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy is steering the Trail Nation Program.

Director Kelly Pack says it's building better connections from local towns to the state's public lands.

A group in Southeast Missouri are looking at closing some of the critical gaps to the Ozark Trail systems.

Folks already hike, bike, backpack and ride horses on the Ozark Trail.

Noting the economic opportunities, PECS as the larger trail network will mean safe, welcoming spaces with shopping and dining options for residents and out-of-state visitors who might otherwise miss the small towns.

It is going to help really propel either their outdoor recreation access or their place as a tourist destination in their region.

For the Daily Yonder and Public News Service, I'm Roz Brown.

For more rural stories, visit dailyyonder.com.