Data Center Developers Rethink Their Community Strategy

Data center developers are facing a growing challenge beyond securing enough power: winning over the communities where they want to build. This challenge was a major topic at Data Center World Power, held this month in Dallas. The event brought industry leaders together to discuss the rapidly changing power demands of data centers and the obstacles developers face in pursuing new projects.

Developers need to become more effective and better engaged with local groups opposing data center expansion, said Rob Cleveland, president & CEO of Grow NELA. His organization has attracted considerable interest in data center development by streamlining the permitting process, with permits issued in just 15 days.

Data center opposition may be less widespread than headlines suggest, with many areas of the country accepting the jobs, tax revenues, and economic benefits that data centers can bring.