GridWatch Consulting
Data-driven negotiation support for communities facing data center development. We help you win better deals — and only get paid when you do.
Success-fee model — no results, no cost
The problem
A hyperscaler shows up with a $2B proposal, a team of lawyers, and promises of "500 construction jobs." Your planning commission has 30 days to respond. The developer's hired consultants produce a glossy economic impact study. Your community has… a Facebook group and a lot of questions.
The asymmetry is the problem. The developer knows exactly what your land, water, and grid capacity are worth to them. You don't. That's where we come in.
What we deliver
Impact analysis
- Energy load modeling using real grid data (PJM, EIA-930)
- Water consumption estimates by cooling type
- Residential rate impact projections
- Grid strain and reliability analysis
- Counter-analysis to the developer's economic study
Deal structuring
- Custom Community Benefits Agreement drafting
- Data Dividend fund design (the Alaska model)
- Tax-abatement analysis — what you're actually giving up
- Clawback provisions and performance guarantees
- Decommissioning bond sizing
Hearing support
- Expert testimony at planning and zoning hearings
- Data presentations for public comment periods
- Talking points for elected officials
- Media briefing materials
- Post-approval compliance monitoring
How we get paid
Communities shouldn't have to pay upfront to defend their own resources. We use a success-fee model that aligns our incentives with yours.
Free
Initial consultation
- 60-minute situation assessment
- Preliminary impact estimate
- Recommendation on whether a CBA is achievable
- No obligation
Success fee
Full engagement
- Small percentage of annual community benefits secured
- Fee only applies to new benefits we help negotiate
- Capped at a fair maximum — we're not the developer
- If we don't improve the deal, you pay nothing
Flat fee
Alternative structure
- For communities that prefer fixed pricing
- Scoped to specific deliverables
- Payment milestones tied to project phases
- Available for grant-funded engagements
Why communities trust us
We built AI GridWatch — the open-source platform used by communities nationwide to understand data-center impacts. The same data and models that power the free tool power our consulting analysis, with deeper customization for your specific situation.
Request a free consultation
Tell us about your situation. We'll respond within 48 hours with a preliminary assessment and recommended next steps.