As data centers proliferate to support cloud computing and AI, cities and towns are increasingly courted with promises of jobs, innovation, and economic growth. Yet the actual community-level impacts of data center construction are far from settled. This interdisciplinary panel brings together experts in economics, engineering, environmental science, and sociology to examine what we know so far—beyond marketing narratives and industry hype. Panelists will explore how data centers impact local labor markets and tax bases; the engineering constraints that drive site selection and infrastructure demands; the environmental and economic implications of land use, water, and energy consumption; and the sociological effects on housing, inequality, and community identity. The discussion will focus on empirical evidence, case studies, and contested trade-offs. The goal is to give policymakers, community advocates, and practitioners a clearer view of the risks, benefits, and unanswered questions of this infrastructural boom.
Panelists include:
Emily Grubert, Associate Professor of Sustainable Energy Policy
Keough School of Global Affairs
Michael J. Hicks,
George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research
Originally published at reilly.nd.edu.