Shepherd Strategies

03/06/2026

In the latest episode of Friday Reporter Public Affairs, our President Jessica Beeson Tocco shares her insights with host Lisa Camooso Miller.

After leading one of the nation’s largest women-owned lobbying firms (A10 Associates), Jessica launched Shepherd Strategies—focusing on real results via government data, grants, contracts, tax credits, and incentives--not endless meetings.

In this episode, Jessica covers:
-Why earmarks killed the traditional model
-How funding actually flows today
-Influence vs. ex*****on: what really matters
-Unlocking billions in public resources the smart way
-Sharp insights for anyone in government relations, corporate strategy, or tech/energy/infrastructure.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O538WeOc0o

Has the lobbying world truly changed? Thoughts below!

03/05/2026

Our March Newsletter is Live!

In today's fast-moving regulatory landscape, clarity isn't just helpful—it's a competitive advantage.

At Shepherd Strategies, we help leaders cut through complexity in high-stakes decisions where policy, public scrutiny, institutional risk, and real consequences intersect. Whether you're navigating tariffs, funding programs, supply chain shifts, or emerging opportunities in advanced technologies, electric vehicles, energy infrastructure, or data centers, having defensible, insight-driven strategies makes all the difference.

Our latest newsletter dives into key developments shaping these spaces right now—timely analysis, actionable intelligence, and perspectives to help you stay ahead.

Check it out here:

Kick-off your March with an insider's look at the ideas, trends, and tools that will shape public policy in 2026. In this issue, we dive right in with insights into tariffs, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the power grid, data centers, and more. Skim the highlights here, then tap through t...

02/24/2026

We are happy to announce we will be attending the EV Charging Summit & Expo this year on March 17-19th in Las Vegas, NV! Our President, Jessica Beeson Tocco will be speaking on a panel at the event. If you are planning on attending, please message us so we can connect!

02/24/2026

Shepherd Strategies is happy to announce we are sponsoring the Welcome Reception at EV Charging Summit & Expo ! The event details are included below. If you are planning to attend, we would love to connect.

02/20/2026

US manufacturing is back and stronger than ever! Shepherd Strategies is here to help you navigate economic development funding.

John Deere, Rockwell, AOI, SEL and others break ground on plants across Texas, the Midwest and Southeast. The post US manufacturing pipeline grows, firms plan $1B in new factories appeared first on FreightWaves.

02/19/2026

Shepherd Strategies is so proud to be a part of this real-life example of bringing non-dilutive capital to the mix to create growth.

Forgent is riding the data center and power grid boom with a nationwide manufacturing expansion.

02/17/2026

For companies looking to enter the U.S. data center market, Shepherd Strategies recommends:

-Protect your intellectual property, complete patent and trademark applications and always keep innovating
-Complete mandatory government registrations: SAM.gov and state/federal licenses to access incentives and contracts.
-Engage strategic partners: utilities, contractors, and economic development agencies.
-Target federal projects: focus on federal initiatives and directives - do your homework on what the government is buying.
-Choose strategic locations: prioritize emerging and cost-effective states and pursue economic development funding before determining your ultimate headquarters.
-Operate strategically: evaluate and tackle NIMBY risks to reduce financial exposure.
-Leverage technology differentiation: photonics, advanced cooling, and energy-efficient systems will create more long-term wins in the data center space.

02/10/2026

Data centers are increasingly shaping state and federal policy. In 2025, lawmakers across all 50 states considered 238 bills related to energy, taxation, water use, zoning, and connectivity—enacting over 40 in 21 states.

• Energy: 126 bills focused on power consumption, grid impacts, and innovative solutions, including nuclear options in Maryland and South Carolina.

• Water & Taxation: States like Minnesota, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania introduced measures affecting water usage and tax incentives for data centers.

Rising-star states for investment include Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, offering favorable tax incentives, regulatory support, and infrastructure development.

02/09/2026

Our website is now LIVE! Go check it out to learn more about our team, our mission, our success stories to date, our recent blogs and more!

Navigating complex, regulated environments can be risky. Shepherd Strategies provides data-driven advisory, non-dilutive capital guidance, and clear decision support.

02/05/2026

The U.S. currently has over 4,100 data centers, with the largest concentrations in Virginia (663), Texas (408), and California (320). However, the Midwest continues to develop more data centers due to recent investments in broadband combined with their traditionally reliable infrastructure, cost-effectiveness, and business-friendly policies. This growth in the Midwest is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's strategic announcements on data center hubs nationwide:

Energy Secretary Chris Wright acts to strengthen America’s energy dominance and leadership in artificial intelligence by leveraging federal land and assets

02/04/2026

The data centers in the U.S. will create growth nationwide in secondary industries - including construction.

The U.S. data center construction market is projected to grow from $48.2 billion in 2024 to $112.3 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 15.2%. Growth is led by major operators like Equinix, Digital Realty, CyrusOne, and hyperscale leaders such as AWS, Microsoft, Meta, and Google.

New entrants—including Corscale, Crane Data Centers, and Edged Energy—are intensifying competition. Core-and-shell facilities tailored to tenant needs are emerging as a preferred development model, reducing upfront costs and increasing flexibility.

Follow the U.S. Department of Energy's Speed to Power Initiative to identify data center development and infrastructure opportunities near you:

The U.S. Department of Energy Accelerating Speed to Power is a free, interactive map designed to support data center siting decisions. It brings together key infrastructure and system-level data, enabling users to explore site constraints, co-location opportunities, and energy system trade-offs.