New APWA Toolbox Helps Communities Answer Data Center Questions

Resource identifies infrastructure, community considerations when projects are proposed

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As communities consider increasingly large and complex data center projects, a new resource from the American Public Works Association (APWA) will help public works professionals and their communities identify potential infrastructure impacts and participate more confidently in local planning discussions.

"Data center development can raise complex questions for a community and the infrastructure that supports it," said APWA CEO Scott D. Grayson, CAE. "Public works professionals bring essential knowledge to these discussions. This toolbox will help everyone ask informed questions early, assess potential impacts, and provide valuable guidance to residents and local decision-makers."

APWA's Data Center Development Toolbox provides an introductory set of talking points, questions, and considerations for public works professionals who may be involved when a data center is proposed—particularly those encountering this type of development for the first time or contributing to early-stage discussions.

Public works staff may be called upon to provide technical input, advise elected officials, support public outreach, and coordinate among departments as a proposal moves through the local review process. The toolbox identifies areas communities may want to examine, including:

• Water and power demands;
• Transportation and construction impacts;
• Stormwater management and utility extensions;
• Planning, zoning, and land-use requirements;
• Environmental and sustainability considerations;
• Public information and community engagement;
• Economic incentives and potential community benefits; and
• Long-term site use, decommissioning plans, and financial security.

"A proposed data center may involve water, power, transportation, stormwater, land use, and other considerations that cross multiple departments. This toolbox gives professionals a practical starting point for bringing those issues together and helping their communities ask the right questions," said APWA President Robert Garland, PE.

Rather than recommending a particular approach to data center development, the toolbox is designed to help public works professionals establish a baseline understanding and identify questions relevant to their own communities. Each proposed development and community will have different infrastructure, environmental, economic, and planning considerations.

The resource also emphasizes the importance of gathering accurate information and engaging public works professionals early in the review process. Their involvement can help residents, staff, and elected officials better understand what is being proposed, how it may affect community systems, and how it aligns with local plans and priorities.

The Data Center Development Toolbox was developed by the APWA Technology Committee with support from the APWA Engineering and Construction Committee, Sustainability and Resiliency Committee, and Water Resources Management Committee.

The toolbox is available here.

About APWA

APWA is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 33,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and knowledge exchange. Named recently as one of the "2026 Best Nonprofits to Work For" by The NonProfit Times, APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, has a government affairs office in Washington, DC, and 62 chapters plus 97 branches throughout North America.

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SOURCE American Public Works Association