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Data center job benefits concentrated in urban areas, study finds

A recent study indicates that data centers primarily benefit urban economies, with job and wage growth being significantly more pronounced in metropolitan areas compared to rural ones. While data centers do contribute to economic growth, with employment rising by an average of 3.5% and wages by 5% over the long term, these benefits are concentrated where a skilled workforce and supporting industries already exist. This research comes amid growing public and political opposition to data center development due to concerns about grid capacity and water usage, leading some states to consider moratoriums or restrict tax incentives. AI

IMPACT Data center expansion's economic benefits are unevenly distributed, favoring developed urban areas over rural ones, which may influence future siting decisions and policy.

RANK_REASON Study on economic impact of data centers. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.4]

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Data center job benefits concentrated in urban areas, study finds

COVERAGE [1]

  1. Fortune TIER_1 English(EN) · Daniel Yue, Yiyang Zeng, The Conversation ·

    Data centers boost jobs 4% in cities and rural economies barely feel a dent, study shows

    The research lands as Maine Gov. Janet Mills vetoes a moratorium to save a $550 million data center conversion, and 10 other states weigh similar bans.