Diode Ventures community engagement manager Charissa Huntzinger recently penned a guest blog post for the National League of Cities providing insights into community preparedness for data center development.

In Data Centers Are Coming: Are You Prepared?, Charissa highlights how the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure — driven by surging demand for constant connectivity and advanced technologies like AI — presents both significant economic opportunities and planning challenges for communities.

U.S. data center spending soared from $1.8 billion in 2014 to more than $28 billion in 2024, generating substantial contributions to local tax revenue and jobs. Municipalities that implement data center-specific planning and zoning are better positioned to attract these investments while addressing community concerns around noise, resource use, aesthetics and environmental impacts. Thoughtful regulations can give residents confidence and developers clarity, enabling cities to leverage data centers as catalysts for long-term growth and shared prosperity.

Read the full article on the NLC website: https://www.nlc.org/article/2025/12/24/data-centers-are-coming-are-you-prepared/