Originally posted on Data Center POST.
At the Datacloud USA event in Austin, Texas, leaders from across the digital infrastructure ecosystem gathered to tackle one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: aligning data center development with community needs, state priorities, and long-term infrastructure planning. Hosted in the Datacloud Engage room, the in-state focus roundtables brought together regulators, operators, energy providers, and community representatives to discuss opportunities, risks, and lessons learned across key markets including Virginia, Georgia, Texas, with Water a specialty topic included.
Moderated by Ilissa Miller, CEO of iMiller Public Relations, who is also an Advisor to the Nomad Futurist Foundation, and Board Member of the OIX Association, the session built on her work as Chair of the OIX Digital Infrastructure Framework Committee. Miller framed the discussion by underscoring the parallels between digital infrastructure today and the historical development of municipal water systems over 150 years ago. Both services essential, yet digital infrastructure – at its infancy – is often overlooked in community master planning.
Virginia: Shifting Perceptions in a Mature Market
Buddy Rizer, Executive Director of Economic Development for Loudoun County, highlighted how community perception has shifted even in one of the most established data center markets. Loudoun transformed from a struggling economy into one of the strongest in the U.S., generating a billion dollars annually and lowering tax rates. Yet, Rizer noted, the narrative can no longer center solely on tax benefits. Instead, power infrastructure and community pushback now dominate the conversation. With citizens rallying in opposition and environmental concerns mounting, Virginia faces the need to reframe messaging around data centers as critical infrastructure essential to economic resilience and everyday life
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