Author: Rob Bedard,Ph.D, Vice President & General Manager – Data Centers, Modine Manufacturing Company
Data centers are critical to powering AI and cloud computing, but their rapid expansion raises important questions about local impact. These facilities require large footprints and consume significant amounts of electricity and water, putting serious pressure on local resources.
As demand surges, developers can’t afford to simply assume community support via job creation and an annual food drive. Earning a social license to operate means actively addressing concerns and demonstrating long-term value to the community. Trust isn’t a given. It must be built and maintained to balance infrastructure growth with public good.
The Scale of the Data Center Boom
As businesses and consumers alike rely more heavily on connected services, the need for scalable, high-performance data centers continues to rise, fueling what some are calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In the first half of 2024, there was an extraordinary surge in data center construction, with 78 new projects breaking ground across the U.S. These developments represent a combined investment of over $9 billion and encompass nearly 12 million square feet of infrastructure. It was the strongest first half on record since 2008 in terms of project count, total investment, and square footage.
This surge in growth is pushing data centers beyond traditional industrial zones and into suburban and residential neighborhoods. Across the U.S., developers are seeking sites closer to population hubs to minimize latency for AI-driven applications, bringing data infrastructure closer to where people live and work.
Public Support Comes with Conditions
As data centers move closer to residential areas, new research from Airedale by Modine reveals a nuanced public perspective: while many recognize the essential role data centers play in supporting AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure, support for building them locally comes with clear conditions.
Energy demand tops the list of concerns, with 63% of opponents citing it as a major issue. Noise is another sticking point, with 60% worried about sound pollution from always-on cooling systems and noisy backup generators. These concerns don’t equate to outright opposition, but they do signal a need for responsible development.
Our findings show that people expect more than just promises of connectivity and jobs. They want transparency, environmental responsibility, and meaningful contributions to local infrastructure and initiatives. Developers who invest in sustainability and community benefit are far more likely to earn support. The data center industry has a window of opportunity to expand with public backing, but only if it leads with stewardship.
For example, at Airedale, we have done a lot of work on sound attenuation in our labs and can come up with bespoke solutions depending on the noise limits in place. These can range from compressor and fan selection, noise attenuation canopies on chillers, and noise-reducing enclosures for certain components. Where water is plentiful and available for data center cooling, air handling units with direct or indirect adiabatic systems can be deployed, eliminating the need for mechanical refrigeration equipment like compressors.
Energy Efficiency Takes Center Stage
With the average hyperscale data center consuming as much electricity as tens of thousands of homes, it’s no surprise that communities are watching closely. This concern highlights a growing paradox: the same digital progress that supports innovation, remote work, and smart infrastructure also threatens to increase carbon emissions and strain the grid. As countries set aggressive climate goals, the challenge is clear: data centers must grow, but they must also become dramatically more sustainable.
Fortunately, the industry is responding. Developers are turning to advanced cooling technologies, such as liquid cooling and immersion cooling, to reduce energy use. Others are integrating renewable energy sources and partnering with utilities to support grid resilience.
Take, for example, Microsoft’s sustainable data center campus in Sweden, which runs entirely on renewable energy and uses rainwater for cooling. Or Meta’s facility in Denmark, which was designed to be one of the most energy-efficient data centers in the world, boasting a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1. These examples show it’s possible to build responsibly—if sustainability is prioritized from the start.
Building Trust with Responsible Development
In the race to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure, speed is critical, but rushing data center development without community buy-in can have lasting consequences. Missteps in early planning, communication, or environmental stewardship can quickly erode public trust and spark opposition that delays or even halts construction.
Building support starts with transparency. Developers who engage with communities early and often are far more likely to earn approval. That means holding open forums, listening to concerns, and clearly communicating how a proposed data center will impact—and benefit—the surrounding area.
Rather than reacting to complaints after construction begins, proactive developers share environmental impact data, noise and heat mitigation plans, and sustainability initiatives from the outset. They explain how the facility will contribute to the local economy, what efforts are being made to minimize energy use, and what steps are in place to reduce disruption during and after construction.
Mastering Scale and Stewardship
The rise of AI and cloud computing demands a massive expansion of data infrastructure. Building bigger, faster, and closer to communities comes with a new level of responsibility. To meet the moment, developers must master not just scale, but stewardship.
This is more than an engineering challenge. It’s a chance for the industry to lead by example, setting new standards for sustainable design, transparent engagement, and meaningful community investment. Public trust isn’t a barrier—it’s essential infrastructure for long-term success.
The path forward requires a new mindset: one that treats local communities not as obstacles to navigate, but as partners to build with.
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About the Author:
Rob Bedard leads Modine’s North America Data Centers business, where he has driven rapid growth and innovation in thermal management solutions. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and over a decade of experience in HVAC and cooling technologies, Rob has held roles spanning research, engineering leadership, and product development. Prior to his current role, he served as Engineering Manager and Principal Research Engineer at Modine, and earlier led engineering teams at Airedale International in the UK. His expertise bridges advanced thermal systems, product innovation, and scalable cooling solutions for high-performance data centers.
