Data centers are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the digital economy, powering artificial intelligence, cloud computing, financial services, and public infrastructure. While proponents cite their potential to expand local tax bases, attract investment, and drive innovation, these projects have also generated bipartisan local opposition focused on energy and water use, land and environmental impacts, noise, and limited permanent job creation. This panel brings together diverse perspectives to examine whether—and under what conditions—data centers can deliver meaningful community and economic value, exploring how policymakers, communities, utilities, and developers can better align development with sustainability, workforce needs, equity, and long-term public benefit.