Digital Infrastructure: The Next Pillar of the American Economy

When I first read about Kansas positioning itself as a foundational player in America’s digital infrastructure future, I immediately thought about how these macro trends ripple down to affect communities like ours here in Wichita. The Washington Post piece highlighting Kansas’s potential to power the nation through data centers isn’t just abstract economic theory—it’s a development trajectory that could reshape everything from our local job market to the very landscape along I-135 and near the Arkansas River.

What struck me most from the McKinsey analysis referenced in the search results wasn’t just the projection of hyperscale data center growth, but the specific emphasis on how states must navigate both opportunities and challenges through targeted infrastructure investments and reliable energy grids. This aligns closely with what I’ve observed in our own community discussions about attracting tech investment while maintaining the quality of life that makes Wichita distinctive—from the vibrant arts scene in Old Town to the family-friendly neighborhoods surrounding Wichita State University.

The EY-Parthenon macroeconomics team’s finding that AI-related capital spending drives a disproportionate share of economic growth—adding 0.7 percentage points to GDP growth in 2025 alone—helps explain why private equity firms are increasingly bullish on digital infrastructure. As noted in the LinkedIn pulse article, an overwhelming 88% of firms identified this sector as a compelling growth opportunity heading into 2026, with investment expanding beyond traditional data center development into energy-supporting technologies and other value-chain components.

For Wichita specifically, this trend presents both exciting possibilities and important considerations. Our city’s strategic location within Kansas’ transportation network, combined with existing industrial infrastructure and a growing skilled workforce from institutions like WSU Tech and Butler Community College, positions us to potentially benefit from this digital infrastructure expansion. Yet, realizing this potential thoughtfully requires careful attention to the very factors highlighted in the research: robust infrastructure development, energy grid reliability, and policies that ensure broad-based community benefits.

Looking at second-order effects, the growth of data centers and related digital infrastructure could influence everything from housing demand in districts like Delano or Riverside to the evolution of our local education programs. We might see increased demand for specialized training programs at institutions like the WSU National Institute for Aviation Research adapting to serve data center technology needs, or new partnerships emerging between local utilities and technology firms focused on grid modernization—a critical component mentioned in both the McKinsey and EY-Parthenon analyses.

The historical context also matters here. Just as Wichita earned its title as the “Air Capital of the World” through deliberate investment in aviation infrastructure and workforce development, our approach to digital infrastructure should leverage similar principles of targeted investment, public-private collaboration, and continuous skills adaptation. This isn’t about chasing trends blindly, but about strategically positioning our community to capture sustainable, high-quality growth that complements our existing economic strengths.

Given my background in economic development and community impact analysis, if this digital infrastructure trend impacts you in Wichita, here are the three types of local professionals you necessitate to understand and potentially engage with:

• Sustainable Infrastructure Planners: Glance for professionals with specific experience in utility-scale project planning who understand both traditional energy systems and emerging grid modernization technologies. The best candidates will have worked on projects involving ERCOT or SPP interconnection processes and can demonstrate how they balance development goals with long-term resource sustainability—particularly important given the energy intensity discussions in the McKinsey report.
• Workforce Development Strategists: Seek specialists who bridge economic development, education, and industry needs. Effective providers will have demonstrable experience creating pathways between community colleges (like WSU Tech), workforce agencies, and emerging technology sectors. They should understand how to design programs that address both immediate technical skills needs and longer-term adaptability—critical as the EY-Parthenon analysis notes the expanding range of investable opportunities across the digital infrastructure value chain.
• Community Impact Analysts: Find professionals skilled in conducting rigorous assessments of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. The most valuable experts will have experience with both economic impact modeling and quality-of-life assessments, capable of analyzing effects ranging from tax revenue generation to traffic patterns around potential development sites—particularly relevant along corridors like I-135 or near industrial zones where data center development might concentrate.

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