Broadband Live

Broadband Breakfast on May 13, 2026 – The Politics of Data Centers

Who decides where data centers get built?

Broadband Breakfast

Apr 17, 2026 — 2 min read

The fiercest battles over data centers are no longer being fought in Washington. They're playing out in county commissions, township zoning boards, and statehouses responding to grassroots revolt. From shots fired at an Indianapolis councilman's home to Maine's moratorium, Georgia's legislative stalemate, and zoning fights from East Whiteland to Glynn County, municipalities have become the front line of America's data center debate. What do local officials, industry voices and telecom and energy policy experts say about how zoning, preemption, and ratepayer concerns are reshaping where, and whether, data centers get built?

Panelists

Panelists have been invited
Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Post tagged in

Broadband Live Data Center

Member discussion

April 23, 2026: CBRS Under Threat

How high-power risks dismantling shared spectrum and upending the U.S. businesses it powers

Cyber Nominee Warns U.S. Could ‘Cede Strategic Ground’ on Digital Infrastructure

Cassady called for coalitions of trusted partners to support secure U.S. digital ecosystems.

Education Groups Opposed to E-Rate Bidding Portal

FCC insists it’s necessary to prevent fraud.

Analysts Call for Public Broadband as Thousands Remain Offline in NYC

New York City’s reliance on companies like Spectrum and Verizon has not delivered affordable or universal service, analysts say.

Popular Tags

FCC

There’s an Opportunity to Connect America's 44 Million Apartment Residents

Broadband's Impact

BEAD

NTIA

Maine Set to Become First State to Halt New AI Data Centers

Infrastructure

Congress Divided Over Renewal of U.S. Surveillance Program as Deadline Nears

AT&T