The rise of the digital age has brought with it a complex and often contentious debate over the physical infrastructure that powers our online lives. As data centers spring up across the American landscape, they bring promises of economic revival alongside anxieties about strain on local resources. Amidst this climate of uncertainty, a new national nonprofit has emerged with a mission to cut through the noise and provide a factual counterweight to the fears that often dominate public discourse. This organization, named Data Centers Work, is positioning itself as a critical resource for residents, local officials, and policymakers who are grappling with the rapid expansion of this industry. In its inaugural outreach, the group is holding up a single piece of legislation as a gold-standard model for the entire country: Alabama’s landmark data center law. By spotlighting this legislation and the tangible benefits of a major project in the state, the organization aims to reshape the narrative surrounding data centers, moving the conversation from one of apprehension to one of informed understanding and potential.
At the heart of Data Centers Work’s message is Alabama’s SB270, a piece of legislation that has become a template for addressing the most pressing question facing communities today: who pays for the monumental amount of power these facilities require? Sponsored by State Sen. Lance Bell and signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, this statute is notably proactive in its approach. Since October, it has mandated that the largest new data centers in Alabama assume the full, added cost of their energy consumption, including the necessary new generation capacity and fuel. This forward-thinking provision is designed to be a definitive safeguard, ensuring that the financial burden of these energy-intensive facilities does not inadvertently fall on the shoulders of everyday residential and commercial ratepayers. The Alabama Public Service Commission has further solidified this commitment by adopting a review process for each contract, adding a layer of oversight that guarantees the law’s protective intent is fully realized. This framework presents a compelling answer to the nationwide anxiety about potential rate hikes, offering a solution where economic development and consumer protection are not mutually exclusive but are instead carefully balanced through legislative foresight.
To illustrate the positive community impact such projects can have, Data Centers Work features Meta’s substantial investment in Montgomery, Alabama, on its website. The project is a testament to the job creation and economic stimulus that these facilities can bring to a region. According to the organization, the construction phase alone will put more than 1,500 skilled trade workers on site at its peak, providing a significant boost to local employment and the building trades. Once operational, the facility is expected to employ more than 100 full-time staff in high-quality, permanent roles. Meta’s commitment has grown to a $1.5 billion investment, a figure that underscores the scale and long-term economic commitment these tech giants are making to the state. The significance of this development was amplified just last week with the announcement of a colossal $33 billion campus by Lambda at the Project Red Clay site in Lowndes County. This investment, the largest ever announced in Alabama’s history, signals that the momentum is only accelerating, making the need for clear, factual information all the more urgent for local communities.
Steering the ship of this new organization is Cory Custer, a figure with deep political and communications experience. Having served as deputy chief of staff for external affairs to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, and previously holding a public affairs role at U.S. Customs and Border Protection during the Trump administration, Custer brings a seasoned understanding of both government operations and public communication. He acknowledges that the discourse surrounding data centers is among the most critical economic and infrastructure discussions happening in the country today. His stated goal is straightforward: to share transparent facts, dispel common misconceptions, and highlight the tangible benefits these investments bring to local communities. In a time where public perception is often shaped by viral misinformation, Custer’s role is to serve as a steady, credible voice, providing communities with the verifiable data they need to make informed decisions and counter the narratives that can stall or derail beneficial projects.
The core of Data Centers Work’s strategy is a “facts over fears” approach, and its website is engineered to prove this point with sourced, verifiable numbers. On the economic front, the organization cites a PricewaterhouseCoopers study that paints a picture of massive national impact. The industry, according to the study, supported 5.5 million American jobs in 2024, generated $927 billion in GDP, and paid $204 billion in taxes. On a more local scale, a typical data center build puts about 1,700 local electricians, pipefitters, and welders to work, creating a surge of well-paying blue-collar jobs. The site also confronts the ever-present fear of skyrocketing energy bills. It points to a study of data from 2015 through 2024 which found that the average household actually paid about 6% less than it would have without the data center buildout. This counter-intuitive finding is explained by the principle that steady new demand spreads the grid’s substantial fixed costs across a wider customer base, ultimately lowering costs for everyone.
Addressing environmental concerns, particularly the use of water, the group provides context that often gets lost in the debate. It notes that while all U.S. data centers consumed about 17 billion gallons of water in 2023, this figure pales in comparison to the 31 times more water used by golf courses. Furthermore, it highlights technological advancements in cooling, mentioning that newer facilities utilize closed-loop systems that are filled once and then recirculated, dramatically reducing their water footprint. On the vital topic of tax revenue, Data Centers Work showcases Loudoun County, Virginia, as a prime example of data centers as a community windfall. There, data centers fund 38% of the county budget and return an extraordinary $26 for every $1 in services they require. This fiscal windfall has even allowed the county to cut its residential property tax rate every year for a decade. To assuage concerns about noise, the site cites Loudoun’s strict 55-decibel cap at the property line, a level quieter than a normal conversation.
In essence, Data Centers Work is launching to provide a much-needed counterbalance to the skepticism that data center projects face. By highlighting Alabama’s proactive legislation and mounting evidence of economic and community benefits, the organization is making a clear case that these facilities can be powerful engines for growth without imposing undue burdens on existing residents. The group, which describes its backers as organizations committed to ensuring citizens have accurate information, aims to empower local leaders with the data they need to navigate these complex discussions and welcome these investments. With the site now live and featuring the Alabama model and Meta’s Montgomery campus, Data Centers Work is placing a significant bet on the power of transparency. As states from coast to coast confront the same questions about power, water, and economic value, the Alabama framework offers a tangible, proven path forward, and this new nonprofit is determined to share that blueprint with the rest of the nation.