When The Data Centers On Who Wants To Stay Or Sell

 

The amount of time I now spend monitoring data center plans and proposals continues to increase. Some of it is due to keeping track of considerations for real estate investors, while some is because of monitoring specific areas. There appears to be significant opposition for data centers within and nearby to highly populated areas, which is understandable. 

Meanwhile, the need for increased and/or improved municipal infrastructure continues to be a prominent topic in various areas. It is easy for real estate professionals, investors, and developers not involved with data center proposals and projects to not bother with following all that is happening.

Within the past two weeks (as of this writing), I have seen info about one proposed data center project which would be constructed literally in San Francisco Bay. Despite what would be added protection for waterfront properties, the possibility raises safety concerns for workers doing such a build along with contractors and/or employees involved with an underwater facility. The below linked story covers opposition to a data center in a less populated area, which could become a battle of a few people vs..a large number of people and businesses.

Those who pay attention, or know they should hire someone to monitor data center plans and activity, should include more residential and commercial brokers and investors than what I currently know of. Here is one example of why. 

Take the example in the article below of a home owner located adjacent to where a proposed facility would be. Chances are that the owner may be driven to want to sell and get out before talks advance. If that seller waits too long and the project is approved, they will either have a difficult time selling or not get anywhere near the amount they hoped. Consequently, a broker or investor could be “first in” on such an opportunity. 

Without a research person or team on your side, you continue to miss out on potential transaction or investment opportunities.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/18/michigan-data-center-fight