RE/THINK. . .Is Water Really the Constraint? SFP Insider

Site & Facility Planning Insider Presented By: Wednesday, July 29th, 2026

Rethinking Water in Data Center Site Selection When a data center project is proposed, water is often one of the first concerns raised by local officials and residents. Developers typically present demand projections based on peak operating conditions, while communities worry about impacts to wells, rates, and long-term supply.  The reality is more nuanced.  In many regions, particularly across parts of the Midwest, water systems retain significant unused capacity from past industrial activity. But available supply alone does not determine project readiness. Infrastructure, permitting, reuse strategies, and community perception can all influence whether a project moves forward.  As data center development accelerates, site selectors are increasingly being forced to look beyond simple questions of water availability and examine how water is sourced, delivered, managed, and communicated.

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Rethinking Water in Data Center Site Selection Why the real constraint isn’t always supply—and why the risk is still real. Read More.

Semiconductors’ Fragile Relationship With Water May Be Tested Exploring the water dilemma in semiconductor manufacturing: how the industry's growth is increasing demand for a scarce resource and the innovative strategies companies are adopting to manage their water use in water-stressed regions. Read More. 2026 Data Center Outlook: What Actually Changes Next Demand is a given. Power, timelines, and execution are not — and that’s where 2026 decisions are getting made. Read More. The AI Arms Race Comes to Your Backyard Charlie Smith The race to build AI infrastructure is no longer just a technology story — it’s a geopolitical one. Read More. Google’s 100-Year Bet What Alphabet’s century bond signals about the future of data center site selection. Read More.

Newsletter Presented By: Mississippi Development Authority Let’s take flight. Mississippi propels the aerospace industry. Our 11,000+ space workforce produced $1.5 billion in GRP last year. We’re ready to make big things happen for your project. Mississippi offers the aerospace infrastructure, shovel-ready sites and expertise to boost your speed to market. Our flexible incentives and streamlined processes will help you launch in record time. What can Mississippi do for you?

Recent Notable Data Center Announcements 1 Meta Expands Richland Parish, Louisiana, Data Center Operations Meta plans to expand its operations in Richland Parish, Louisiana. The $50 billion project is expected to create 500 jobs. 2 Google Plans Montgomery County, Missouri, Data Center Operations Google plans to establish data center operations in Montgomery County, Missouri. 3 Amazon Web Services Expands Mississippi Data Center Operations Amazon Web Services plans to expand its data center operations in Mississippi. The $12 billion project is expected to create 800 jobs. 4 Creekstone Energy Plans Millard County, Utah, Data Center Operations Energy and technology company Creekstone Energy plans to establish operations near Millard County, Utah. The $17 billion project is expected to create 106 jobs. 5 xAI Plans Southaven, Mississippi, Data Center Operations Artificial intelligence company xAI plans to establish data center operations in Southaven, Mississippi. All Recent Projects >>

More on Area Development Companies Can Plan for Tariffs. They Can’t Plan for Uncertainty W. Ford Graham, Senior Vice President, McGuireWoods Consulting Margaret Rockwell, Counsel , McGuireWoods LLP International interest in the U.S. remains strong, but shifting trade rules are delaying commitments and giving prepared communities time to improve their position. Read More.