The Iowa Data Center Decision Tool, developed by the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative in partnership with the Tippie College of Business Social Impact Community, is a conversation starter and risk management resource. It is an objective resource to help communities prepare for data center discussions by identifying key questions before decisions are made.
About the Decision Tool
The Iowa Data Center Decision Tool for Counties, Cities, Communities is a resource developed by and for Iowans to help local communities identify important questions and determine whether data center development aligns with their priorities before engaging with developers—or, if discussions have already begun, before making significant decisions.
By providing an objective framework and practical questions, the Decision Tool helps communities prepare for future data center conversations before decisions, negotiations, or development proposals move forward.
The Focus:
The Decision Tool helps communities consider both opportunities and potential challenges. Data centers can provide economic investment, tax revenue, and infrastructure improvements, while also raising important questions about water use, electricity demand, roads, emergency services, land use, and long-term planning.
Topics Covered:
- Community Considerations
- Planning and Zoning
- Water Resources
- Energy Resources: Use and Governance
- Incentives and Economic Development
- Thinking Ahead to the Construction Phase
Iowa as the next data center frontier
Iowa is one of the most attractive locations for data centers in the country due to its flat and affordable land, relatively low energy costs, limited historical drought, and lower construction and labor costs. Large energy and water utilities already serve substantial data center demands, signaling a welcoming environment for expanding or building new data centers.
For some Iowa communities, data centers represent an opportunity to diversify the local tax base, create construction and skilled technical jobs, and attract related business investment. Communities may view data centers as supporting economic development goals by using available land, expanding digital infrastructure, and generating long-term property tax revenue.
Communities may worry about power imbalances and access to resources between different sized localities. Officials and residents may not have the tools they need to ensure a safe, responsible approach to deciding whether to invite a data center into their community, county, or city.
The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) at the University of Iowa College of Law, in partnership with the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business Social Impact Community, is working closely with stakeholders from across Iowa to understand the impacts of data center development in Iowa. For more information, please contact HELI Director Jennifer Terry at Jennifer-terry@uiowa.edu.
Partner Resources and Tools
This resource page brings together credible materials to support informed decision-making, including links to trusted organizations and research and are designed to help Iowans evaluate the potential economic, infrastructure, energy, water, environmental, and community impacts of data center development and encourage thoughtful discussions about Iowa's future.
Forthcoming White Paper
Data Center Expansion in Iowa: Safe, Responsible Growth for the Benefit of Iowans and Protection of Natural Resources is another forthcoming tool for stakeholders to utilize in data center development decision making. The white paper is expected to publish in December 2026.
Created in Partnership with:
Contributors and Stakeholders:
