Data Centers Resource Hub
Upcoming Events
Related News
As local authority shapes decisions on permitting, infrastructure planning and community engagement for data centers, this dynamic hub turns ideas into practice across key areas, giving county leaders practical tools to support local decision making around development and long-term economic growth.
NACo’s Data Center Resource Hub provides counties with a collection of strategies and resources to strengthen our approach to data center development and oversight. As local authority shapes decisions on permitting, infrastructure planning and community engagement for data centers, this dynamic hub turns ideas into practice across key areas, giving county leaders practical tools to support local decision making around development and long-term economic growth.
Resource
NACo Informational Primer and County Considerations: Data Centers
This resource provides county elected officials, administrators and planning leaders with a high-level framework to evaluate, permit and oversee data center development. Instead of focusing on technical details, it highlights key challenges across the project lifecycle and offers guidance for steering development toward long-term economic and environmental goals.
Conference
2026 NACo Energy Symposium
Join county leaders from across the country in the Texas Panhandle to engage with the most pressing energy issues shaping rural America today. Hear from experts, exchange ideas with peers and gain practical insights into the policies, projects and partnerships driving rural energy development.
Peer Exchange
2026 NACo Data Center Peer Exchange (December 2026)
Applications to attend the 2026 Rural Energy Academy Data Center Peer Exchange in Dorchester County, S.C. will open in August 2026. Attendees will have the opportunity to see firsthand how Dorchester County is navigating data center growth, from infrastructure planning to community partnerships, offering practical takeaways for counties facing similar development. Fill out the form to indicate interest and be alerted once the application period begins.
County Spotlights
Data Center Development Recommendations for Local Communities
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
This guide assists local governments navigate data center proposals through zoning tools, benefit agreements and frameworks for evaluating developer commitments.
Data Center Zoning Ordinance
Susquehanna County, Pa.
Susquehanna County’s ordinance provides a local model for data center decommissioning, pairing defined shutdown triggers with enforceable timelines and robust financial assurance. Counties seeking to address long-term liability, stranded infrastructure and site restoration can look to this framework as a baseline for decommissioning requirements.
Data Center Zoning Ordinance
Maricopa County, Ariz.
This city ordinance within Maricopa County, Ariz. establishes a local framework for data center siting and community protection, with extensive noise mitigation requirements and mandatory neighborhood engagement.
For more county resources focused on data centers, as well as access to an information sharing platform for county leaders to discuss local challenges and solutions at work in America’s energy counties, join NACo’s Energy Counties Exchange.
Partner Resources
| Title | Organization | Description |
|---|---|---|
Urban Land Institute |
This resource provides strategies for local officials and planners to understand data center development, navigate planning challenges and adapt model zoning guidelines for their jurisdictions. |
|
Climate Mayors |
This collection of case studies highlights how local jurisdictions are navigating data center development within their communities, with considerations including land use, water, noise and more. |
|
Community Strategies to Address Data Center Development and Operation |
American Association for the Advancement of Science and National League of Cities |
This fact sheet outlines zoning, permitting and policy approaches local governments can use to manage the land use and community impacts of data center development and operation. |
Turning the Data Center Boom into Long-Term, Local Prosperity |
Brookings Institute |
This report examines how counties and regions can approach data center development to secure long-term local benefits. |
Senate begins reauthorization process for State Revolving Fund programs and other water infrastructure programs
On July 13, leaders of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released the text of its Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026). In addition to reauthorizing major projects through the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers (Army Corps), the bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs.
U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advances 2026 Water Resources Development Act
On July 14, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee favorably reported H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA) by a bipartisan 66-0 vote. The bill now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives. The WRDA 2026 markup was originally scheduled for July 1 but was rescheduled to July 14 due to changes to the House calendar.
FERC orders regional grid operators to reform rules for large load grid connections
FERC orders regional grid operators to reform rules for large load grid connections
U.S. EPA announces nearly $250 million in FY 2026 Brownfields program grants
On June 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the distribution of nearly $250 million in funding for the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup grant program. The grants flowed to more than 190 state and local government recipients around the country to support redevelopment and renewal projects on brownfield sites.
FCC considers preemption of local authorities in broadband permitting process
Counties are partners in broadband deployment efforts – not barriers – and pursuing one-size-fits-all regulations will further burden progress towards closing the digital divide
Strategic Cloud Adoption in the Public Sector: Insights from Fulton County
Fulton County’s journey to the cloud is reshaping how government delivers services at scale. In this webinar, the county’s CIO will share how Fulton County is leveraging cloud platforms and modern technologies to improve operational efficiency, break down silos, and better connect services across departments. Attendees will gain insight into the strategy, challenges, and lessons learned from driving digital transformation in one of the nation’s largest county governments—and how technology is enabling more responsive, resilient, and resident-centered services.
Leading Without Blame: How Psychological Safety Strengthens County Cyber Resilience
The most damaging breaches in county government rarely begin with a sophisticated exploit. They begin with a person — someone who is stressed, overloaded, or afraid to raise a hand. For counties defending elections, courts, emergency services, and water systems, with lean teams and tight budgets, the way leaders build culture and trust is one of the highest-leverage security controls they own.
This panel brings county leaders together to explore how psychological safety, authentic leadership, and a culture of belief — not box-checking — drive real cyber resilience. Panelists will share candid, on-the-ground perspectives on moving from performative compliance to operational commitment, treating people as the strongest control rather than the weakest link, and using AI to sharpen human judgment rather than replace it.
Funding Your Future: Mapping County Technology to Grant Opportunities
Ready to turn your communications modernization plans into funded reality? This webinar provides a practical roadmap for aligning technology initiatives with available grant funding in justice reform, rural health, mental health, and public safety.
We will share firsthand experience navigating the funding landscape and successfully securing support for technology investments and break down specific funding sources and demonstrates how to position Zoom solutions within grant applications.
2026 NACo Energy Symposium
Join county leaders from across the country in the Texas Panhandle to engage with the most pressing energy issues shaping rural America today. Hear from experts, exchange ideas with peers and gain practical insights into the policies, projects and partnerships driving rural energy development.