Tune in December 11 at 2 pm EST!

As state and local governments push forward with digital transformation, data centers have become essential infrastructure. They power everything from cloud services and digital records to advanced analytics and automation. Yet their growth comes with significant trade-offs. Data centers are among the most resource-intensive facilities to operate, consuming vast amounts of electricity to run and millions of gallons of water for cooling. In many regions their energy use is straining local grids, while water demands are raising sustainability concerns. These challenges are prompting difficult questions about how to modernize responsibly while ensuring communities have the resources they need.

This Route Fifty Innovation Spotlight will bring senior leaders together to explore how governments can strike that balance. The discussion will look at strategies to expand infrastructure capacity, partner with utilities, and pursue sustainable approaches that align with long-term resiliency goals. Leaders will share how they are weighing the benefits of digital transformation against the infrastructure costs, and how smart planning today can enable future innovation without compromising community well-being.