Author explores data centers’ impact on communities at Emporia event
Author Heath Jeppson discussed the community impacts of data center development at an Eggs & Issues event in Emporia. The presentation covered infrastructure, electricity, water, jobs, tax agreements, emergency planning and public trust, but did not focus on a specific project.
Author Heath Jeppson spoke at an Eggs & Issues event at Emporia State University’s Sauder Alumni Center about his book, “The Cloud Has Hit the Ground,” which examines how communities can evaluate data center proposals. The discussion addressed economic development, electricity, water, heat, fiber connectivity, jobs, taxes, cybersecurity and emergency planning.
Jeppson urged residents, elected officials, utility leaders and business executives to assess individual projects rather than rely on corporate messaging or activist slogans. The event focused on the broader implications of data center growth and did not announce or decide on a specific development in Emporia.