Communities advised to negotiate with data center developers for local benefits
News Clip1:22The Dale Jackson Show·AL·9/6/2026
The video advises municipalities to recognize their leverage with data center developers who are looking to buy land and access infrastructure. It suggests negotiating aggressively for community investments in schools, police, libraries, and infrastructure, as well as ensuring developers contribute to power grid upgrades. The message advocates against tax giveaways and for establishing guardrails to protect existing residents.
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Data centers are in buying mode. That means municipalities should recognize the leverage they have.
There are legitimate concerns, particularly about power capacity and whether local grids need major upgrades. Those issues should be addressed, and the companies building these projects should be part of paying for the infrastructure they require.
But communities shouldn't automatically say no.
If data center developers want access to land, power, and infrastructure, negotiate. Look for investments in schools, police, libraries, infrastructure, and other community priorities, along with the potential tax revenue.
And stop paying companies simply to show up.
No more giveaways. Establish guardrails, protect the grid and existing residents, negotiate aggressively, and make the deal work for the community.
They're buying. Municipalities should be selling.