The Race to Scale Data Centers — And How SAFEbuilt Helps Build the Future
As President of SAFEbuilt, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand how the backbone of our digital world takes shape—not just through code and cloud services, but through concrete, steel, and local approvals.
McKinsey’s recent article, The Cost of Compute: A $7 Trillion Race to Scale Data Centers, highlights the staggering demand for computing power and the global surge to build the infrastructure that supports it. As AI, cloud services, and edge computing continue to transform industries, data centers have become the new power plants of the digital economy.
But while the headlines focus on megawatts, GPUs, and capex, there’s another, quieter race happening behind the scenes: the race to permit, inspect, and approve these complex facilities so they can be brought online quickly, safely, and in compliance with local codes.
That’s where SAFEbuilt comes in.
Across the U.S., SAFEbuilt is proud to partner with communities and developers on data center projects, helping to navigate the often overlooked but critical municipal processes that stand between a blueprint and a live facility. Whether it’s accelerating plan reviews, ensuring life safety compliance, or managing inspections across multi-phase construction, our team plays a pivotal role in keeping these massive projects on track.
Here’s how SAFEbuilt helps move data centers from concept to completion—safely, efficiently, and in full compliance:
In a $7 trillion global build-out, speed matters—but so does trust. Municipalities need to know that as they welcome these projects, they’re not compromising on safety or community standards. Developers need a partner who understands how to align local requirements with global urgency.
SAFEbuilt’s expertise allows us to be that bridge. We bring the best of both worlds: deep technical knowledge of complex infrastructure and a collaborative approach that helps communities adapt to the accelerating pace of innovation.
As the McKinsey article notes, “The cost of computing is not just a technology challenge—it’s a real estate, power, and construction challenge.” We would add it’s also a governance challenge. And SAFEbuilt is uniquely positioned to help solve it.
We’re proud to be part of this moment, working alongside public and private partners to shape the future of our digital infrastructure—and doing it in a way that delivers for communities today and generations to come.
Ready to move faster—without cutting corners?
References: McKinsey: https://mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/the-cost-of-compute-a-7-trillion-dollar-race-to-scale-data-centers