The Digital Infrastructure Imperative​


AxAdvocacy Research and Strategy to Reclaiming the Narrative on Data Centers and Community Impact.

At a Glance


Data centers have become the visible face of the AI revolution, powering progress but testing community patience.


Public perception is shifting from curiosity to concern. AxAdvocacy polling shows there is room for a breakthrough, revealing opportunity to shape opinion as data centers break through the narrative.


The results show clear potential to gain ground - but only with the right playbook.


Without early, transparent engagement, companies risk moratoria, lawsuits, and reputational damage. The opportunity now is to build understanding, earn buy-in, and turn potential opposition into momentum.

Methodology
National online survey of N=1,000 registered voters
Margin of Error: ±3.1%
Fielded: October 23-27, 2025

Mapping the New Power Pull

Data centers are no longer confined to tech corridors; they’re spreading through power-rich regions in every corner of the country. These clusters are reshaping local economies and prompting new questions about energy reliability and resource planning.

Virginia, Texas and California lead in number of data centers
Number of data centers, by market
Note: Includes operational data centers and those in development. Refer to the Data Center Map methodology for more details. Source Data Centers Map, accessed Oct. 20, 2025
PEW RESEARCH CENTER

Tracking the Conversation

Media coverage around data centers continues to intensify, with growing focus on energy strain, community backlash, and infrastructure costs.


Across more than 30 national and regional stories since September, sentiment skews predominantly neutral to negative, with headlines centering on power use, ratepayer impact, and environmental concerns.

 

However, coverage also signals opportunity. Credible voices, like Pew Research and Bloomberg Law, with headlines centering on power use, ratepayer impact, and environmental concerns. 

Negative Coverage – 29%

Focus on energy strain, water use, and community backlash

Neutral Coverage – 66%

Informational or economic reporting

Positive Coverage – 5%

Stories highlighting innovation, investment, or national competitiveness

Don't Let the Headlines

Fool You 

Media coverage around data centers has turned sharply negative, focused on energy strain, water use, and local backlash. The narrative is being shaped without balance — and without most people even tuned in.

Polling shows 51% of voters have heard little or nothing about data centers, revealing a wide-open lane to define the story before opposition hardens.

Opinion is Split – and Still Forming

When asked about building data centers in or near their community, 33% support and 34% oppose, leaving the rest undecided or unaware.


This near-even divide shows the narrative is far from settled. With limited awareness and mixed sentiment, there’s still significant room to shape how people perceive the value of data centers, before attitudes harden into opposition.


There is an opportunity to define the issue locally, promote the benefits (jobs, innovation, etc.) and connect them to community needs. 

Do you support or oppose data centers being build in or near your town?

The PR Challenge

Data Centers = the physical backbone of modern technology. But they come at cost. 

  • Power: Surging electricity demand is driving record-high energy costs and forcing utilities to propose new generation projects just to keep up.
  • Water: Constant high-demand for cooling to keep operational. Drought optics make even reclaimed-water systems controversial
  • Noise & Land: Diesel generators, traffic, and light pollution drive backlash
  • Policy: Moratoria and lawsuits, from Dublin to Virginia, are setting precedent and slowing growth.
  • Community Strain: They can be seen as extractors, taking resources and giving little back to the communities.

Redefining the Narrative

When presented with both sides of the debate, the public isn’t firmly aligned - they’re open to persuasion.



By emphasizing transparency, community partnership, and shared local value, jobs, reliability, innovation, stakeholders can move the middle and rebuild trust before negative perceptions solidify.

This balance reveals a clear opening: most people see both sides and are looking for leadership to define what responsible growth looks like.

Polling shows:
•23% say data centers bring benefits
•25% say they bring problems
•38% say both
•12% say neither
•2% don’t know

The narrative will write itself.

Decide how you want the story to be told.

Final Thoughts

Polling shows clear opportunity to make ground, but we must add to the conversation already percolating. AI data centers are an indispensable reality of the modern world, yet their progress hinges on earning public and political buy-in. That starts with early, transparent communication and a clear “why” that connects innovation with community benefit.



Our team knows how to roll up our sleeves in these types of battles, turning complex, high-stakes infrastructure fights into credible, community-backed wins.


Before the post-mid-term autopsy, AxAdvocacy can help make your position the victory story – not the cautionary tale. 

Get In Touch

Contact - Data Centers