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Chris Crosby and Industry Experts Highlight Growing Challenges and Transparency Needs in Data Center Construction

Data center construction is the primary infrastructure story of 2026, driven by the demand for advanced AI and digital services. However, the industry faces significant friction due to power constraints, labor shortages, and increasing community concerns. Chris Crosby, CEO of Compass Datacenters, emphasized that developers must earn public trust through transparency and regular communication rather than relying on blanket bans or secrecy. In St. Louis, the debate over data center regulation has been intensified by a mysterious, unnamed elected official who attempted to influence the planning commission's decision through a private request. This lack of transparency is a common point of contention, as communities grapple with the broader anxieties surrounding artificial intelligence. Furthermore, Bill Tierney of The ProLift Rigging Company noted that many projects face delays due to supply chain issues and power permitting. He advised that restarting a paused project requires a complete replanning of rigging and installation, rather than simply resuming from the last milestone, to avoid costly errors during execution.

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