Officials Shift Data Center Strategy to Win Community Support

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2026 – States are changing how they manage data center growth, pushing developers to engage communities, improve facility design, and take on infrastructure costs, officials said Tuesday at Data Center World.

“It’s a great opportunity if communities can buy in,” said Buddy Rizer , executive director of Loudoun County economic development. Officials stressed early local engagement is critical.

Communities must involve elected officials and stakeholders from the start, Rizer said. “If you don’t have a coalition early on, you are doomed from the start,” he said.

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