Our Approach
The AI infrastructure economy is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity for universities and historically Black colleges and universities. Land, location, workforce pipeline, research capacity, and community trust are assets that data center operators and hyperscalers actively need. LegacyGrid's role is to ensure that higher education institutions capture the value of those assets — not surrender them at below-market terms to operators who understand the infrastructure economics better than the institution does.
Every engagement begins with an independent assessment of what the institution actually has: land characteristics, power access, fiber connectivity, utility capacity, zoning, and proximity to existing infrastructure corridors. That assessment drives the deal structure — not the other way around.
Engagement Model
Independent readiness assessment before any partner conversation begins
Deal structure review and guardrail development before RFP or LOI
Owner-side technical review during partner negotiation
Program governance and accountability monitoring post-execution
Key Considerations for Higher Education
Land and site characteristics — acreage, topography, utility access, zoning, and proximity to infrastructure corridors
Power and utility capacity — existing interconnect, available capacity, and expansion feasibility
Workforce pipeline — student enrollment, relevant programs, and training infrastructure
Governance and decision authority — board approval requirements, system-level coordination, and public accountability
Community benefit obligations — local hiring, student pathways, compute access, and environmental review
Deal structure protections — lease terms, escalators, student benefit requirements, and clawback provisions
Questions We Help Answer
What does the institution actually own — and what is it worth to a data center operator?
What are the minimum acceptable community benefit and student pathway requirements?
What governance and board approval process applies to this type of agreement?
What are the red flags in a proposed deal structure — and how do we protect against them?
How do we measure whether the partner is delivering on its commitments?