Data centers and digital infrastructure are expanding rapidly as critical enablers of the digital economy and AI-driven growth. While data centers can bring investment, tax revenue, construction activity, and digital capacity to their host communities, local community members are raising concerns about rising utility costs, grid reliability, water use, noise, land-use change, opaque negotiations, limited permanent job creation, and loss of local control.
Understand how companies can leverage meaningful stakeholder engagement approaches to address community concerns about data centers. Drawing on BSR's extensive work in digital infrastructure, industrials, and mining, we’ll share how companies can move beyond one-way communications and philanthropy toward mutually beneficial relationships with the communities impacted by data center expansion.
Leave with practical insights on how to:
- Identify and respond to the community concerns most likely to delay or derail projects;
- Build trust through stakeholder engagement and transparent communication;
- Integrate environmental and human rights considerations into project planning; and
- Develop community benefit approaches that create lasting local value
Gain insights from our industry experts and submit any pressing questions during our Q&A session.
Scheduled Speakers
Chris Pennington, Director, Energy and Sustainability, Iron Mountain
Jenny Vaughan, Managing Director, Human Rights and Inclusive Business, BSR
