Webinar: AI Infrastructure, Data Center Development and BEAD

AI Infrastructure, Data Center Development and BEAD

AI mega data centers are arriving with major economic promises and intense pressure to move quickly. Local governments are being asked to approve land use, rights-of-way, and utility-related permits that promise jobs and tax base, while residents raise concerns about energy and water demand, environmental impact, neighborhood compatibility, and long-term community cost. These data centers demand unprecedented amounts of connectivity from a variety of telecommunications providers.

The data center picture also holds the potential that the federal government may allow states to use excess BEAD “non-deployment” funds of up to $21 billion (yes, that’s billion) to fund fiber connectivity to and among data centers – possibly creating a unique opportunity for local governments.

This webinar looks at AI data center development from the perspective of the local decision-maker responsible for permitting and infrastructure coordination, where zoning, ROW access, utility capacity, and interdepartmental alignment are being tested by projects far larger and more complex than existing frameworks anticipated.

Moderator: Chris Seidt, Director of Information Technology, City of Louisville, KY
Speakers: Joanne Hovis, President and CEO, CTC Technology & Energy and Chris Jordan, Program Manager of AI and Innovation, National League of Cities (NLC)