Boots-on-the-Ground Campaign Won Local Trust for a Data Center Facing a Ban

Spartanburg County, SC, was turning against data centers after other developers’ missteps. Tigercomm spent two months on the ground helping AIB show that it was different.

Challenge

AIB Data Centers faced near-certain rejection of its proposed project in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The missteps of other developers working in the County had triggered a massive backlash against data centers, and public officials responded by preparing a blanket ban on all future projects. AIB had a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.

Strategy

We crafted a path to success for AIB that included a strategic philanthropic program and publicly distinguishing itself from an inappropriately sited data center megaproject that had triggered community opposition.

Execution

• Tigercomm immediately sent one of our skilled campaigners to work on the ground 5-6 days a week for a sprint of over two months.
• We started our work by rapidly, deeply researching community dynamics and needs, as well as understanding the views, goals and pressures on local officials considering the ban.
• We then helped AIB work with local officials to craft a far-reaching community benefits agreement that reflected input from community members.

Results

AIB’s project fit under a size exemption that allowed it to proceed with its project as the county banned large hyperscaler projects. A county council member who led the ban told AIB it “had shown it understands how to listen and relate to this community, while others didn’t.”