Data Centers Decoded: Myth #9

Key Takeaways

• Data centers can deliver significant local economic benefits through private investment, tax revenue, infrastructure improvements, and community funding.
• Tax revenue from data centers can support essential public services, including schools, public safety, utilities, and transportation infrastructure.
• The economic impact extends beyond construction, creating long-term revenue and infrastructure benefits that can continue throughout a facility’s operation.
• Thoughtful data center planning can create lasting community value, strengthening local infrastructure and supporting opportunities for future generations.

MYTH: Data centers consume valuable land without benefiting communities

TRUTH: Modern data centers represent billions of dollars in local investment.

A $154 million school renovation probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about data centers—but in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, that's exactly what happened.

A Microsoft data center helped fund a $154 million renovation of Mecklenburg County's schools, and today the facility contributes roughly 25% of the county's annual budget, helping fund essential community services and long-term infrastructure investment.

It's one example of a broader trend across the United States. Modern data centers are driving billions of dollars in private investment while generating tax revenue that strengthens local economies. In Metro Phoenix, data center development has generated more than $10 billion in capital investment, while in Ohio, data centers have contributed more than $5.2 billion in state and local tax revenue since 2017 to support schools, infrastructure, public safety, and other community priorities.

It's a side of the data center story that rarely makes the headlines.

While the building may be the most visible part of the project, its contribution often continues long after construction is complete. When thoughtfully planned, projects like these can strengthen infrastructure, expand utility capacity, and create opportunities that benefit future generations.

When evaluating a project, consider questions like:

• How could this investment improve life for the people who live here?
• What opportunities might it create for future generations?
• What legacy will it leave beyond the property line?

The true legacy of a data center isn't measured by the building itself. It's measured by the opportunities it creates for the community around it.