Local Planners Left Navigating in the Dark

Imagine trying to build a future on a map with blank spots. That’s where local governments find themselves today, as shrinking federal data streams leave them flying blind. Whether it’s tracking health trends, managing transit demand, or planning housing infrastructure, planners rely heavily on steady, reliable data to make decisions. Today, that well is drying up. When the numbers vanish, guesswork takes their place—and guesswork doesn’t serve equity, resilience, or effective policy. What’s at risk is a real-world safety net. Communities of color, low-income neighborhoods, and rural areas are especially vulnerable when the lens goes dark. It's a test not just for planners but for the future they’re trying to build. If data disappears, trust follows—and no planner wants to design with blind spots.