By Dan Culhane, President & CEO, Ames Regional Economic Alliance
Few topics have generated as much discussion in our community recently as the possibility of a data center locating in Ames. That conversation can be healthy. Large projects should invite questions, careful analysis, and public input. They should also withstand scrutiny.
At the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, we are not advocating that every data center belongs in every community. We are not suggesting Ames should pursue a project at any cost. What we are saying is simple: opportunities deserve thoughtful consideration, not immediate dismissal.
There is an important distinction between due diligence and delay.
Communities across the country are competing for investment. Data centers are going to be built somewhere. The question is whether Ames wants to thoughtfully evaluate whether one could be a good fit here, or watch another community realize the benefits while we wonder what might have been.
That evaluation begins by asking the right questions.
How much water will the facility use? What are the impacts on our electric infrastructure? Will local utility rates be affected? How will noise be managed? What sustainability measures are being implemented? Are newer cooling technologies being used to reduce environmental impacts?
These are legitimate concerns, and they deserve clear, factual answers.
Fortunately, technology is evolving quickly. Modern data centers are becoming more efficient in their energy use, cooling systems, and overall environmental footprint. Every proposal should be evaluated on its own merits, using current facts rather than outdated assumptions.
At the same time, we should not overlook the potential benefits.
A project like this represents millions of dollars, in many instances billions of dollars, in private investment. It creates construction jobs, supports local contractors and subcontractors, generates work for suppliers and service providers, and increases demand at local restaurants, hotels, and retailers during construction and operation. It also adds to the local property tax base, providing long-term revenue that supports community priorities.
Perhaps most importantly, communities have an opportunity to negotiate meaningful community benefits. If a company wants to become part of Ames, let’s ask how it plans to become a truly good corporate citizen. Could it help accelerate the completion of our community’s homeless services campus? Could it contribute to a downtown parking structure, recreational amenities, Campustown improvements, or help implement the Downtown Ames Guiding Vision? Could it invest in the quality-of-life projects that make Ames an even stronger place to live?
These are reasonable expectations. Companies seeking to become part of our community should be expected to invest in that community. If a project cannot meet our standards, then the answer should be no.
But if it demonstrates environmental responsibility, operational transparency, financial benefit, and a genuine commitment to Ames, then we should be willing to consider saying yes.
The Ames Regional Economic Alliance has no financial stake in any specific project. Our mission is to strengthen the regional economy and improve quality of life. That means supporting local businesses, facilitating the process for businesses to create jobs, encouraging investment, and helping communities make informed decisions that serve the greater good.
Over the years, we’ve seen opportunities pass us by. Sometimes that has been the right decision. Other times we’ve watched neighboring communities benefit from investments we never fully explored.
Opportunities of this scale do not come along every year, and they do not come to every community. Our elected officials have the responsibility to ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions, and negotiate the best possible outcome for Ames. They deserve our support as they do that work.
Whether the current proposal ultimately moves forward is less important than ensuring it receives a fair, fact-based evaluation. A good proposal should hold up under scrutiny. If it doesn’t, we should move on. If it does, we should have the courage to recognize the opportunity before us and welcome their investment.
The conversation should not be about being for or against data centers.
It should be about whether this project, with this company, under the right conditions, is good for Ames.
That’s a conversation worth having.
