As data center development continues to expand across Iowa, 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, has released the Iowa Data Center Decision Tool for Counties, Cities, Communities.

The Decision Tool provides Iowa's local governments and community leaders with a practical framework for evaluating proposed data center projects by identifying important questions to consider before decisions are made. Unlike resources that advocate for or against development, the Decision Tool is intentionally neutral.

"Our goal is not to tell communities what decision they should make," said Jennifer Terry, Director of HELI. "Our goal is to help communities ask the right questions. Every Iowa community has different priorities, infrastructure, natural resources, and long-term goals. This tool helps local leaders evaluate whether a particular project aligns with their community's vision." 

The resource was developed in response to conversations with local officials and stakeholders across Iowa who expressed a need for practical guidance as data center proposals become more common.

The Decision Tool encourages communities to evaluate both the potential benefits and the potential impacts of proposed developments. Those considerations may include infrastructure capacity, water and energy resources, local planning and zoning ordinances, emergency services, taxation, economic development opportunities, and community priorities.

"We consistently heard that communities wanted help understanding what they didn't know," Terry said. "Many local governments are encountering these proposed projects for the first time. This tool serves as a risk management resource by helping communities identify issues they may want to consider before making long-term decisions."

The project reflects extensive collaboration among Iowa experts and stakeholders who shared their experiences so other communities can benefit from lessons already learned throughout the state.

The Decision Tool is intended to help counties, cities, and communities review their existing policies and ordinances to determine whether they adequately address the unique considerations associated with modern data center development. Because every Iowa community is different, and there are several types of data centers, the Decision Tool emphasizes that each proposed project should be evaluated individually. Communities differ in their infrastructure, development patterns, natural resources, growth objectives, and resident priorities. HELI believes local decisions should reflect those local realities. 

HELI also announced that interest has already emerged in developing a future companion resource that would provide practical guidance for addressing the questions raised in the Decision Tool. HELI hopes to collaborate with University of Iowa colleagues and community partners on a future "Version 2.0" guidebook.

"Our hope is that this is the beginning of an ongoing statewide conversation," Terry said. "The Decision Tool helps communities ask thoughtful questions today while laying the groundwork for even more practical guidance in the future."

Data Center Decision Tool

For more information, please visit the Iowa Data Center Decision Tool webpage. For media questions, please email Jennifer-terry@uiowa.edu.