University of Iowa releases data center decision tool for Iowa communities
The University of Iowa's Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) and Tippie College of Business have released a new Data Center Decision Tool for Iowa communities. This resource helps local officials evaluate proposed data center projects by considering various impacts and benefits, including infrastructure, resources, and zoning. The tool aims to provide neutral guidance as data center development, exemplified by projects from QTS and Google, continues to expand across the state.
The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) at the University of Iowa College of Law, in collaboration with the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business Social Impact Community, has launched the Iowa Data Center Decision Tool for Counties, Cities and Communities. This new resource is designed to assist local officials across Iowa in evaluating proposals for data center developments.
Jennifer Terry, director of HELI, emphasized that the tool is neutral and does not advocate for or against data center development. Instead, its purpose is to help communities ask critical questions to determine if a proposed project aligns with their specific priorities, infrastructure, natural resources, and long-term goals. The tool prompts communities to consider potential benefits and impacts related to infrastructure capacity, water and energy resources, local planning and zoning ordinances, emergency services, taxation, economic development opportunities, and broader community priorities.
The initiative for the tool arose from consistent feedback from local officials statewide who expressed a need for practical guidance as data center proposals become more frequent. HELI has already received interest in developing a companion 'Version 2.0' guidebook to offer more hands-on advice for addressing the questions raised in the initial decision tool, hoping to foster an ongoing statewide conversation.
The tool's release comes amid significant data center growth in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor. QTS is developing a substantial data center campus in Cedar Rapids, an investment that has grown to $10 billion. Google is also constructing an adjacent $576 million data center in Cedar Rapids and has proposed a second six-building complex in Linn County, near Palo, prompting the Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission to solicit public input on future data center allowances in the area. Additionally, a building permit for another 98,695-square-foot data center facility in Cedar Rapids was approved in June.