We help communities act early to translate once-in-a-generation private investment into durable, locally rooted economic gains.
After analyzing over 1,100 data center projects representing more than $500 billion in investment, we discovered a troubling pattern: communities routinely offer legally binding tax incentives while receiving only voluntary, unenforceable corporate programs in return.
Tech companies have sophisticated teams, comprehensive data, and decades of negotiating experience. Communities often have weeks to respond, limited bandwidth, and no visibility into comparable deals elsewhere.
This is a structural failure that leaves communities worse off, even when everyone has good intentions.
Our loyalty is to the communities we serve. We measure success by the durable wealth and opportunity that stays local.
Press releases don't build prosperity. We help communities secure binding commitments with real accountability mechanisms.
Information asymmetry is the root of bad deals. We believe communities deserve access to the same data and benchmarks that corporations use.
One-time payments aren't enough. We focus on outcomes that build long-term economic participation—careers, businesses, and community assets that appreciate over time.
Residents, local businesses, and civic organizations all play a role. Systems for ongoing communication and collaboration are essential for long-term prosperity.
Founder
Ben brings experience in place-based community development from Purpose Built Communities, where he worked on strategies that coordinate housing, education, and economic opportunity in under-resourced neighborhoods.
His research into data center community benefits—analyzing over 1,100 projects nationwide—revealed the systematic gap between what communities give and what they receive in return. Civic Returns is his response to that gap.
Whether you're facing an incoming data center proposal or planning ahead, we'd like to hear from you.
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