MidAmerican Energy Co.

‘Its own little town’: What happens when a data center moves into a community?

Meta's hyperscale data center in Altoona, Iowa, has had a mixed impact on the community since its development in 2013, with some residents finding it a good tenant and economic driver, while others cite traffic disruption. The facility consumes significant amounts of water and electricity, prompting long-term environmental concerns from state officials, even as city leaders seek further expansion.