The AI boom needs land, power, and buildings. Wyoming just made a move to deliver all three.
The Big Story
As demand for artificial intelligence grows, so does the need for data centers and the resources required to power them.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed an executive order directing state agencies to develop a strategy for attracting data centers while protecting the electric grid, local communities, and residents from potential increases in electricity costs.
The Two Spins
From the Left
- Data centers drive economic growth, but also create risks around electricity demand, water use, and long-term impacts on local communities.
- Strong oversight and planning before projects are approved ensures growth does not strain resources or raise costs for residents.
From the Right
- Data centers are an economic opportunity, but regulations that are too restrictive discourage investment and push development to other states.
- Maintain basic safeguards while making it easier and faster for companies to build new facilities.
What This Means for Us
When a large data center comes to a community, it brings a temporary surge in construction jobs and new tax revenue. But it also increases demand for electricity and land.
Communities in Northern Virginia and Texas are already debating whether the power plants, transmission lines, and other utility upgrades needed to support data centers are worth the tradeoffs.
How They Make Money
Microsoft
- Microsoft recently announced plans to acquire 3,200 additional acres near Cheyenne to support future data center and AI infrastructure growth.
- It operates one of the world’s largest data center networks, with hundreds of facilities supporting Azure, AI services, and cloud computing around the globe.
Takeaway
The AI race isn’t just about technology. It’s about land, power, and who controls both.
The Number That Stuck With Me
590,000
That’s about how many people live in Wyoming, making it the least populated state in America.