Bringing Oregonians together to stop corporate land grabs that siphon water, public money, and land away from our communities, schools, farmers, and livelihoods.
It’s clear that Oregon communities need stronger oversight tools to hold data center development accountable. That’s where we come in. 1000 Friends of Oregon is launching the Data Center Reform Fund to support legal advocacy, public-interest coordination, and community oversight in response to the rapid expansion of data center development across Oregon.
We are raising $75,000 to establish initial capacity for the fund, which will help communities navigate complex land use, development, and tax-related decisions with long-term public consequences.
Click to support our Data Center Reform Fund
To donate, click the “Donate to a Campaign” drop-down menu and select “Data Center Reform Fund.”
or
Please make checks payable to:
1000 Friends of Oregon
Mail to: PO Box 14009 Portland, OR 97293
Memo: Data Center Reform
“For us, this [data center development] doesn't feel like economic development—it’s not lifting up our local economy that benefits those who live and work here. It feels like economic colonization where our resources and the futures of our communities are stripped away and sold to make billionaires into trillionaires. We've had enough.”
–Aaron Nichols, farmer and advocate, Stoneboat Farm
Why this matters
Data centers are increasingly pursuing development pathways that sidestep land use processes, limit public participation in land use decisions, and reduce or avoid paying property taxes that fund important local and county services including public education, emergency response, and infrastructure. Oregonians are raising concerns about these data center deals because of the immediate and long-term impacts to statewide education funding, local communities, and public services.
Oregon communities and local governments are navigating fast-moving approval processes that have major fiscal consequences. With the large amounts of land and resources data centers consume, communities need full transparency from companies and governments. The Data Center Reform Fund ensures that communities have access to legal expertise and coordinated support when it matters most.
“I want the government to invest in schools, not data centers. Schools are closing and students are struggling. On the school board, I saw the impact of giving tax breaks to corporations instead of investing that money in local public schools. I am not surprised that the community is fighting against more corporate handouts.”
–Dr. Tammy Carpenter, Hillsboro School Board member
Fund purpose
Holding data centers accountable
This fund is made by and for local farmers, businesses, organizations, and other community members to fight for the future of all Oregonians. Oregon communities rely heavily on property tax revenue to fund essential services and long-term infrastructure. Local governments face increasing pressure to evaluate complex proposals with limited time and capacity.
Legal and community support
Strategic oversight and rapid response
The Data Center Reform Fund supports coordinated legal and community-based responses to emerging development issues across Oregon.
Examples of what the fund supports
- Public-interest legal strategy and partner attorney capacity
- Community oversight and accountability efforts
- Case-based advocacy on land use and tax structures
- Rapid-response support for disputes and approvals
- Coordination of impacted community members and plaintiffs
Featured work
- Legal support for community members, local farmers, local partners, and other organizations suing the City of Hillsboro. Legal support is led by Jesse Buss at Willamette Law Group, PC; Eve Goldman at 1000 Friends of Oregon; and Eric Wriston at Crag Law Center.
- Data center reform coalition support for organizations, unions, individuals to research, organize, and elevate solutions to protect Oregonians’ lives and livelihoods from the growing costs and impacts from data center development, public tax breaks and subsidies, and more. Coalition support is led by 1000 Friends of Oregon’s Christian Smith, Eve Goldman, and Sam Diaz.
“Tualatin Riverkeepers is committed to protecting, restoring, and enjoying the Tualatin River watershed. The City of Hillsboro's recent actions pave the way for even more data centers that harm our watershed and our community by filling wetlands and consuming millions of gallons of drinking water, among other environmental impacts. Hillsboro must listen to its residents and protect our watershed resources before they are lost forever.”
–Kelsey Shaw Nakama, advocacy and policy director for Tualatin Riverkeepers
Donate now
Click to support our Data Center Reform Fund
To donate, click the “Donate to a Campaign” drop-down menu and select “Data Center Reform Fund.”
or
Please make checks payable to:
1000 Friends of Oregon
Mail to: PO Box 14009 Portland, OR 97293
Memo: Data Center Reform
On June 22, 2026, on behalf of 12 petitioners, attorneys Jesse Buss, Willamette Law Group, PC; Eve Goldman, 1000 Friends of Oregon; and Eric Wriston, Crag Law Center filed a petition for writ of review and complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief in Washington County Circuit Court challenging 17 data center Enterprise Zone (EZ) applications approved by the City of Hillsboro. Petitioners include farmers and residents of Hillsboro and Washington County, local elected officials, and tax and environmental nonprofit organizations. Petitioners argue that the applications violate the Oregon Enterprise Zone act, and allege that the city, along with Washington County, improperly approved these applications.
In response to growing concerns and unanswered questions about the impacts of data center development, 1000 Friends of Oregon has partnered with local leaders, farmers, businesses, and other organizations to sue the City of Hillsboro. The petitioners allege that the city, along with Washington County, improperly issued key approvals needed for property tax breaks associated with 17 data center applications.
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