Discussions about data center design, development and operations tend to focus on site size, power requirements and operational metrics. What isn’t touched on quite so much are the communities in which the centers come online.
A recent JLL article, “How Data Centers Transform and Engage with Local Communities,” sheds some light on the synergistic importance between the facilities and their neighborhoods.
For one thing, data centers currently face challenges when it comes to community relations. “The days of quietly acquired space without public engagement are over,” the article pointed out. “Data center developers must now be transparent about their intentions with the projects.”
To do this, the article suggests that developers take the following steps:
Outline the Economic and Employment Benefits
Data centers are considered “powerful engines of municipal revenue.” As a result, they deliver tax and other revenue to local, county and state coffers. Furthermore, the centers bring more jobs to their regions. The article explains that in Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, every data center job generates three and a half additional indirect jobs.
Discuss Upgraded Infrastructure and Power Capabilities
Because of their power needs, data centers can provide “significant improvements” to community power infrastructure., This, in turn, benefits local residents by strengthening grades and improving reliability.
Furthermore, technological developments are possible because of robust network infrastructures supported by data centers. Additionally, data centers attract auxiliary businesses, including those that offer power distribution, cybersecurity, IT hardware and other services.
Emphasize Environmental Leadership
The article explained that data centers are at the forefront of transitioning to renewable energy due to their concentrated power demands. For example, Aligned Data Centers obtains 100% of their electricity from zero-carbon renewable energy sources.
Data centers are also involved with advanced environmental tools to benefit their communities, including the capture of CO2 and supporting water conservation efforts.
Commit to Community Engagement
Data center operators have been engaging with local educational institutions to help train talent. For example, Microsoft created its Data Center Academy scholarship program for the Maricopa Community Colleges throughout the Phoenix, AZ region.
Data center providers are also taking steps to integrate with their communities through sponsoring music festivals and other events and by emphasizing local procurement.
The Takeaway
The article concludes by indicating that the most successful data center providers will consider community integration and partnerships as opportunities for shared value through infrastructure improvement, environmental leadership and economic development. “As data centers continue expanding to support growth in AI and cloud computing, their relationship with host communities will become increasingly important,” the article added.
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