Monthly Newsletter, July 2026
Join the Community Engagement Taskforce
From the Arizona Data Center Alliance, connecting Arizona employers, schools, and workers across the state's growing data center economy. Here's this month's update.
Industry Partners
We Want You In This
The Taskforce Is Open
On June 25, more than 100 people spent a day working through the questions Arizona is asking about data center growth. The clearest message from that room: don't let this be a one-time conversation. The Community Engagement Taskforce is how we make sure it isn't, and we're expanding it.
This is a working group, not a mailing list. It builds plain-English answers to the questions communities raise most, supports conversations with city and county leaders, and defines what good engagement looks like before, during, and after a project is proposed. The immediate goal is meaningful progress before the next session on September 17.
We're looking for a mix of voices: operators, local officials, community and rural perspectives, utility and infrastructure experts, economic development leaders, educators, and civic organizations. If that sounds like work you want a hand in, it takes two minutes to raise yours.
Event Recap
What the Room Said on June 25
Building Community Trust in the Data Center Era brought operators, developers, utilities, mayors and county supervisors, economic development groups, and community voices into one room at ASU SkySong. It was the first industry-led session of its kind in the state.
A live poll put numbers to the mood: two-thirds of the room said community engagement should begin before site selection, and the top answer on who owns that responsibility was everyone together. The full recap covers who took part and what they told us.
Save the Date
Building Community Trust: Part Two
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, ASU SkySong, Synergy 1 & 2, Scottsdale
The follow-up to June 25. We move from dialogue to a working session: turning what the room surfaced into earlier engagement standards and a repeatable Arizona model. Seats are limited, and registration is open now.
Reserve Your SeatFoundation
The Foundation Is Open for Donations
The Arizona Data Center Foundation, AZDCA's 501(c)(3), funds scholarships, internships, and workforce training programs across the state. Donations are open now, and you can give to the general fund or direct your gift to scholarships or skills development.
Energy
The Grid's Shock Absorber: How Flexible Data Centers Protect the Rest of Us
A growing share of large data center load is built to flex, dropping or shifting its power draw within seconds when the grid needs room, then picking back up once the stress passes. The biggest cloud providers are already doing it at meaningful scale.
Read the articleWorkforce
How Many Jobs Does a Data Center Actually Create?
The honest answer has three parts: a large construction workforce that's temporary, a permanent operations staff that's modest, and an indirect footprint that's real but gets inflated in press releases. Here's what the numbers show.
Read the articleAlso Coming Up
More Events on the Calendar
August 4, 2026
iMWomen Phoenix: Data Centers 101, Part 3 (Construction)
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Phoenix. A panel of construction leaders on how data centers go from plan to reality. Hosted by Hensel Phelps.
August 6, 2026
AFCOM Arizona Happy Hour & Intern Celebration
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Hundred Mile Brewing, Tempe. Networking, scholarships, and the intern big check presentation.
November 3, 2026
AFCOM Arizona Caddyshack Golf Classic
8:30 AM shotgun start, Omni Tucson National, Tucson.
November 13, 2026
Data Center Career Day
Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale. Students meet hiring teams, tour a mobile data center, and join AI workshops led by Microsoft.
December 3, 2026
AFCOM Arizona Christmas at the Princess
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, La Hacienda Patio, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
December 9 to 10, 2026
National AI DataCenter Summit #AIDC26
Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale. Day one golf STEM fundraiser, day two full summit. Produced by BigData Southwest and AZDCA.
Get Involved
There's a Seat at This Table for You
Industry professionals, educators, students, and community members all have a place in this work. Tell us how you want to help and we'll route you to the right person.