Do tech companies have the equivalent to a landman to go out and find towns that are willing to acquiesce to their demands?

Yes, and often requiring signing NDAs. Cannot let the public know about the deal that could harm the environment and limit current resources needed by their constituents.

Lobbyist prefer talking to politicians behind closed doors versus in public. Words that are not required to be public are words that cannot be properly vetted. It is in the benefit to do so.

They find ones where leaders can be corrupted. Many of these cities have leaders who sign agreements to keep the entire process secret so the public doesn’t have a chance to stop it ahead of time. And I’m sure those leaders make money somehow, through the land or whatever.