As the backbone of modern connectivity, data centers are fueling not just technological advancements but also widespread economic growth. These hubs of digital infrastructure are essential for businesses, commerce, and communication, with far-reaching benefits beyond their immediate operations. From boosting local employment to generating significant tax revenues, data centers are reshaping economies across the U.S.
Economic Impact: A Nationwide Surge
Between 2017 and 2021, data-center-related jobs increased by an impressive 20%, growing from 2.9 million to 3.5 million, according to PwC. This growth outpaces the overall U.S. employment rise of just 2% during the same period. For every direct job in the data center industry, an average of 7.4 ancillary jobs are created, spanning sectors like construction, maintenance, and technology services.
State-Level Benefits: A Closer Look
Virginia
Northern Virginia, particularly Loudoun County, stands as a global data center hub. Tax revenue from computer equipment purchases skyrocketed by 170% from $215 million in 2021 to $582 million in 2023—an amount more than double the revenue from motor vehicle sales. This influx of funds has supported:
- Public education initiatives.
- Infrastructure upgrades.
- Public health programs.
- Capital improvement projects.
- Recreational amenities.
Nebraska
With dozens of data centers catering to cloud services and colocation providers, Nebraska has seen substantial economic benefits:
- 490 full-time employees worked in data centers in 2022.
- Over 1,500 construction workers were involved in building new facilities.
- Tax revenue from these activities reached $1.3 billion in 2022.
Remarkably, the annual property taxes from a single data center facility in Nebraska can be 110 times greater than those from agricultural land, highlighting the transformative potential of these facilities.
Ohio
Ohio’s data center growth has been a major driver of local economic development. Large-scale projects have:
- Created thousands of jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance.
- Added billions of dollars to the state’s GDP.
- Stimulated ancillary industries like telecommunications, software development, facilities management, and power generation.
Additionally, data centers in Ohio are investing in education, supporting professional training programs to meet the high demand for tech talent.
Conclusion: Building a Digitally Powered Economy
Data centers are more than technological assets—they are economic catalysts. From Loudoun County’s education funding to Nebraska’s construction boom and Ohio’s job creation, their ripple effects are felt across multiple sectors. As demand for digital infrastructure continues to rise, the economic benefits of data centers will only deepen, driving growth and resilience in local and national economies alike.
