New research suggests data center development delivers measurable job gains in both cities and parts of rural America, but the economic benefits are uneven. The study tied to the Data Center Tracker database reports that since early 2024, more than 1,200 community actions—from zoning fights to temporary moratoriums—have been logged across the U.S. The findings point to a key conditional outcome: local economic context matters more than the data center itself. Benefits appear strongest where the surrounding economy is more urban and developed, complicating blanket policy arguments that data centers are either net positives or net harms. For higher education stakeholders, the data supports a pragmatic governance posture—working with local utilities, regulators, and community groups on transparency and impact assessments, especially when campuses are involved in research partnerships or site proposals that affect regional power and water planning.