I.B.E.W's Don Slaiman: Home prices are going up in Northern Virginia as data centers are built

Don Slaiman, the political coordinator for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W.) Local 26, appeared on CNBC's 'The Exchange' to discuss the union's strong support for the data center industry, particularly in Northern Virginia, which his local covers. Slaiman characterized the massive investment in data center construction, estimated at $800 billion this year, as a "once in a generation opportunity" for his members, enabling them to enter the upper-middle class through apprenticeship programs that lead to high-paying, long-term careers.

Slaiman noted that I.B.E.W. Local 26 has been instrumental in building 97% of data centers in their market, which represents a quarter of all data center operating capacity in the Americas. He highlighted the economic benefits to Loudoun County, Virginia, which he described as the richest county in the United States, receiving $1.3 billion annually from the industry. He pushed back against notions of exploitation, attributing rising property prices in the area to broader metropolitan growth rather than solely data center development.

The discussion also addressed varying approaches to data center development across the country. Slaiman referenced earlier comments from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who expressed a desire to partner with developers respectful of communities, while criticizing those who "run roughshod" over them. Furthermore, Slaiman acknowledged that states like Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas have instituted various forms of data center moratoriums. In contrast, he emphasized Loudoun County's long-standing, collaborative relationship with the industry, which originated with the first hyperscale data centers in Ashburn and has been sustained by skilled labor and community ties, leading to a doubling of I.B.E.W. Local 26's membership.