Real communities. Real experiences. A clearer conversation.
Built With Communities documents what digital infrastructure means for the people and places that host it—through firsthand stories from residents, workers, educators, businesses and local leaders.
The people closest to the impact should be part of the conversation.
Discussions about data centers and digital infrastructure are often dominated by companies, headlines and political arguments. Built With Communities creates space for people in established host communities to explain what they have actually experienced.
Meet the voices
Who we listen to
Residents
Neighbors who have watched their town change and can speak to daily life before and after.
Workers
Electricians, builders and technicians who helped build and run local infrastructure.
Educators
Teachers and school leaders who can describe effects on classrooms, programs and budgets.
Local Businesses
Owners of cafés, shops and suppliers who felt changes in customers and opportunity.
Community Leaders
Nonprofit, faith and civic leaders who stay close to what neighbors are saying.
Public Officials
Mayors, commissioners and planners who negotiated agreements and oversaw commitments.
Featured stories
In their own words
Stories Coming Soon
Our documentary team is traveling to host communities across the country. Interviews will appear here as soon as they are filmed and reviewed with participants.
Know someone we should hear from? →What should communities understand before a project arrives?
01
Jobs and Workforce
Which jobs arrived during construction, which stayed, and who was able to get them.
02
Schools and Public Services
How new tax revenue was used — and how residents could see the difference.
03
Energy and Utility Costs
What happened to household electric bills and how ratepayers were protected.
04
Water and Infrastructure
How much water was used, where it came from, and what reuse systems were built.
05
Local Businesses and Community Investment
Whether Main Street felt the change, and which partnerships lasted.
Across the country
Communities we're visiting
Locations appear here once a community has confirmed its participation.
Communities Coming Soon
We share filming locations only after a community confirms its participation. Approved communities will appear on this map.
Know someone we should hear from? →Help more communities hear directly from one another.
Supporting organizations help fund documentary production, travel, public education, community outreach and the distribution of local stories. Support never buys editorial control over what participants say.