Many don't fully understand what a data center actually does. The truth is that nearly every digital touchpoint we have online – like meeting with others over Zoom, connecting with our friends and family on social media, binge-watching our favorite TV show on streaming services, and accessing photos on our devices – are all hosted in data centers, and we couldn't use any of these services without them.
Though data centers are undeniably essential to our daily lives, their impact is often overlooked and misunderstood by the general public. Given the industry is expected to double in size by 2030, there will be increased pressure to expand the number of data centers within communities, highlighting an immense need for education.
By working collaboratively with community stakeholders, data center operators can partner with local decision-makers, elected officials, and organizations on behalf of their constituents to fully explain the presence and criticality of data centers, as well as the benefits they bring to citizens and businesses. The key to achieving meaningful community engagement is to be a good neighbor – and ample education is a critical step.
Community at the heart of your mission
Nurturing long-term relationships with communities in which data centers operate can help create a better future for everyone. Operators can take various avenues to being a good, trusted neighbor in communities – from increasing aesthetic building design and philanthropic initiatives to resource stewardship and sustainability commitments.
By establishing initiatives that address key community issues, data center operators can create deep, lasting connections. Leading by example can be as small as investing in local events or promoting a nonprofit. It can also mean partnering with community school districts to help create more jobs and build a stronger future, or even collaborating with national STEM, STEAM or STREAM programs plus Veteran's organizations for employment and training.
Elected officials and economic development leaders are two key players in ensuring communities are prospering. Together, they can help drive economic benefits by bringing data center projects to their communities. For example, erecting new campuses creates hundreds of high-paying construction jobs for a sustained period of time. Once operational, data centers enable long-term, highly skilled, and well-compensated job opportunities to keep these campuses running 24/7.
Every community is unique
No community is the same, and each has specific priorities and goals to be addressed. Staying tapped into the unique support they need means operators are better positioned to partner with each community for meaningful assistance. It all comes down to leaning into the right people to gather the right insight. By establishing relationships with community decision-makers before data center development begins, the implementation process can be further streamlined and the outcome more beneficial for all.
The Phoenix data center market is a great example. The area is water-constrained, so finding ways to use water resources most efficiently is a top priority for the community. Given this nuance, operators can leverage cooling systems that use little to no water in operation. Additionally – and more broadly – sustainability is a core value across all data center markets. Operators should consider using green power where available, develop waste management programs that reduce landfill contributions, and design data center campuses to meet LEED design specifications.
Each community's needs, preferences, and lifestyles should be considered in every step of the design, construction, and operations process. In the design phase, focusing on building aesthetics, enhanced landscaping, and artwork increases curb appeal for local communities. During construction, operators can keep construction traffic to a minimum and reduce construction dust by employing full-time water trucks and street sweepers. And during operations, it's vital to stay hyperconscious of noise and light pollution by finding ways to mitigate anticipated noise, and ensuring lighting isn't invasive to nearby homes. These are simple actions operators can take today to ensure their communities remain happy tomorrow.
Building strong, thriving, future-ready communities
Relationships are the key to advancing our communities and the data center industry. Being a good neighbor means demonstrating your leadership and commitment to the community as a data center operator.
To learn more about EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure's commitment to the local communities in which we operate, visit edgecore.com/responsibility.