May 22, 2025   SOURCE: BusinessWire

70% of Americans Say They’d Welcome a Nearby Data Center If It’s Built Responsibly, Airedale Survey Finds

In an era when “Not In My Backyard” resistance often meets large-scale infrastructure projects, a surprising shift is underway: Americans are increasingly open to data centers being built near their homes so long as developers earn that trust.

That’s according to new research from Airedale by Modine, a global leader in precision cooling solutions for data centers, which found that 70% of Americans are comfortable with a data center being built within a few miles of where they live if it’s done sustainably and with community input.

The 2025 Airedale Data Center Neighborhood Survey, conducted via the third-party platform Pollfish, gathered insights from 600 U.S. adults to better understand public sentiment around one of the fastest-growing segments of digital infrastructure.

Key findings include:

  • A shift from NIMBY to acceptance: Most Americans are comfortable with a data center being built nearby, including 47% who would accept one within five miles.
  • Support hinges on responsible development: Top concerns among opponents include increased energy demand (63%), noise pollution (60%) and property value impact (52%).
  • Community investment matters: 62% say their opinion of data centers would improve if owners contributed to local initiatives such as education or infrastructure support.
  • Tax incentives are broadly supported: 55% favor tax breaks to encourage responsible data center development.
  • National relevance is clear: 59% believe data centers are vital for maintaining U.S. global leadership in tech and innovation.

"With large infrastructure projects often facing resistance from the communities they impact, data centers are largely seen as necessary and beneficial," said Kimberly Raduenz, Marketing Manager - North American Data Centers, at Airedale. “With nearly half of respondents expressing no opposition to having one built near their home—and many recognizing their role in keeping the U.S. at the forefront of global innovation—the industry has a unique opportunity to scale responsibly. The demand for data storage and processing isn’t slowing down, and as we build for the future, it's critical that we do so with an emphasis on sustainability and efficiency."

Respondents made it clear that developers must minimize disruption, reduce environmental impact and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Whether through quiet operations, smart thermal management, or local investment, data center operators have a unique opportunity to build trust and become valued neighbors in the process.

As the data center industry continues to grow alongside the accelerating demand for AI and cloud computing, these findings offer a clear roadmap for earning public trust, starting with transparency, energy-efficient design and meaningful community engagement.

Visit the 2025 Airedale Data Center Neighborhood Survey for full results and additional insights.

About Modine

For more than 100 years, Modine has solved the toughest thermal management challenges for mission-critical applications. Our purpose of Engineering a Cleaner, Healthier World™ means we are always evolving our portfolio of technologies to provide the latest heating, cooling, and ventilation solutions. Through the hard work of more than 11,000 employees worldwide, our Climate Solutions and Performance Technologies segments advance our purpose with systems that improve air quality, reduce energy and water consumption, lower harmful emissions, enable cleaner running vehicles, and use environmentally friendly refrigerants. Modine is a global company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin (U.S.), with operations in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

For more information about Modine, visit modine.com.