Max Scheder-Bieschin

Data centers can bring real benefits to a community. They can create construction and technical jobs and attract supporting businesses—from fiber infrastructure to maintenance and cooling services. When structured thoughtfully, they can diversify Montana’s economy with long-term private investment.

That said, across the country, data centers are driving electricity demand and putting pressure on local grids. Developers often promise they will “pay their own way” and even bolster grid flexibility, but real-world results are varied. In some jurisdictions, consumers have seen sharp rate hikes or subsidized infrastructure costs hidden behind complex contracts.

The challenge is clear: capture data-center investment without imposing hidden burdens on everyday Montanans.

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