Daily Digest — July 21, 2026
Nashville Faces Pivotal Week as DC Blox Closes $23M Land Deal Near Zoo
DC Blox has finalized its $23 million purchase of a 23.49-acre property adjacent to the Nashville Zoo, according to WKRN News 2 and the Dickson County Source. The acquisition was confirmed by the Davidson County Register of Deeds, and DC Blox has already submitted a new building permit application as the property owner. The proposed facility is a 10-megawatt data center.
Nashville Metro Council members are actively pursuing multiple legislative responses:
- **Bills 1391 and 1392**: New restrictions addressing noise, size, water use, and community impact
- **Bill 1448 (Moratorium)**: A temporary halt on new data center development, with Council Member Courtney Johnston filing an amendment to extend the pause until December 1
- **Condemnation legislation**: The Mayor's Office is considering eminent domain to acquire the property for Metro services
- **Zoning Appeal**: The Nashville Zoo's attorney has filed an appeal to halt DC Blox's permits
As reported by FOX Nashville, final votes on the restriction and moratorium bills are expected this week. A public comment period previously drew hundreds of residents, many speaking in support of the restrictions. The Nashville Scene reported that a seven-hour public hearing saw strong support for stringent regulations and the moratorium. The Nashville Zoo has highlighted a petition with over 550,000 signatures opposing the project.
It remains uncertain whether the pending legislation would apply retroactively to the DC Blox proposal, which was underway before the bills were introduced. DC Blox has stated its planned sites are designed to proactively address community concerns.
DC Blox purchases land next to Nashville Zoo for data center
WKRN News 2
DC Blox Finalizes $23M Purchase of Data Center Site Near Nashville Zoo
Dickson County Source
Data Center Company Pays $23 Million for Zoo-Area Site
Nashville Scene
Nashville Metro Council to Vote on Data Center Restrictions and Moratorium
FOX NASHVILLE
Nashville Data Center Ordinance Loses Key Environmental Safeguard Ahead of Vote
A critical environmental protection was removed from Nashville's pending data center ordinance ahead of its expected finalization this week, according to WPLN News. The safeguard had limited on-site fossil fuel generation to 72 hours during emergencies. Its removal could allow data centers to operate with unlimited fossil fuel generation during loosely defined "emergencies" or with special permission from Nashville Electric Service.
Bill sponsor Councilperson Rollin Horton called the change a "significant degradation" of the legislation. WPLN reported that concerns were heightened by the example of Elon Musk's xAI facility in Memphis, which uses gas turbines linked to high nitrogen oxide and greenhouse gas emissions comparable to major coal plants.
In response, Councilperson Clay Capp introduced an amendment defining "emergency use" and prohibiting fossil fuel generators as primary power sources while incentivizing renewable energy. The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy submitted a letter urging similar amendments and proposing a 25-MW cap on backup generation. Some community members are hoping the council will pass the moratorium instead, to allow more time for stronger environmental protections to be incorporated.
Nebraska Governor Ends Data Center Tax Incentives, Forms Policy Task Force
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order terminating data center eligibility for incentives under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, according to multiple outlets including Nebraska Public Media, the Rural Radio Network, and KOLN. The governor clarified the order applies to all data centers regardless of size, not just large-scale facilities.
Key details from the governor's office:
- Data centers have received an estimated **$519 million in property tax exemptions** since January 2021, with $15 billion in exempted personal property
- **$317 million in direct credit revenue** was lost to data centers from January 2021 to June 2026
- **Meta Platforms Inc.** has received nearly $311 million of the state's subsidies for its nine Nebraska data centers
- The order blocks rebates for property and sales taxes paid by data centers
The executive order also establishes a task force under the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment to develop legislative recommendations protecting Nebraska's natural resources and electric rates. State Senator Mike Jacobson supported the move, noting data centers have sufficient capital and do not require state incentives. He emphasized the governor's support for local control, with counties and cities setting their own ordinances.
As reported by Norfolk NE Radio, over a dozen Nebraska counties have approved or are considering moratoriums on data center construction to update zoning regulations and address water and electricity concerns. A new state law also permits private developers to build their own power generation infrastructure for large facilities, though critics including the Nebraska Farmers Union contend it weakens the state's public power system. The Nebraska Association of County Officials is developing a comprehensive land-use permitting toolkit to help counties navigate these issues.
Nebraska Governor Pillen Halts Data Center Subsidies
Rural Radio Network
Pillen ends tax incentives for data center developers building in Nebraska
Nebraska Public Media
Nebraska data centers have received $519M in property tax exemptions since 2021
KOLN | Nebraska Local News, Weather, Sports | Lincoln, NE
Pillen rescinds ImagiNE Act tax incentives for new data centers
The Best Mix 105.5
Nebraska counties weigh data centers as public power debate grows
norfolkneradio.com
Jackson, Mississippi Judge Questions Officials on Lake Hico Data Center Amid Moratorium
U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate convened a status conference to question Jackson officials about discussions surrounding a potential hyperscale data center at the 654-acre Lake Hico site, according to WLBT and Tippah News. Judge Wingate, who oversees the federal Jackson water lawsuit, expressed concern about potential impacts on JXN Water, the city's water and sewer system operating under federal oversight.
Mayor John Horhn testified that no data center project is officially underway at Lake Hico, though developer Goel Investments LLC holds a three-year option on the property to conduct due diligence for various uses. City Attorney Drew Martin described any discussions as "very, very, very premature" and confirmed no formal application has been submitted.
Separately, WLBT's investigation uncovered records showing behind-the-scenes discussions led by Mayor Horhn's office about attracting a $1 billion data center to Lake Hico. On April 27, tech entrepreneur Ashley Cephus sent a brief to the mayor projecting private investment of $5–$15 million and annual city revenue of up to $20 million. Three days later, the mayor was scheduled to meet with Entergy Mississippi's CEO, while the city attorney's office was already drafting a data center ordinance. Ward 2 Councilwoman Tina Clay has voiced opposition, alleging the city's $23 million budget shortfall was inflated to generate pressure for the deal.
The Jackson City Council recently enacted Mississippi's first six-month moratorium on data center developments, set to take effect in August, as reported by DeSoto County News. New regulations addressing noise, water usage, and energy consumption are expected within six weeks. MDEQ Executive Director Chris Wells previously indicated a hyperscale data center at Lake Hico would use approximately nine million gallons of water daily.
Mayor: No data center in the works for Lake Hico
WLBT
Records reveal behind-the-scenes talks to bring data centers to Lake Hico site
WLBT 3 On Your Side
Judge questions Jackson officials about Lake Hico data center discussion
DeSoto County News
Judge questions Jackson officials on Lake Hico data center discussions
tippahnews.com
Debunking Data Center Myths on Water, Health, and Electricity
Clay Edwards
Rockford Approves TIF District, Proposes Data Center Moratorium
Rockford, Illinois, City Council voted 11-2 to approve the creation of the South Rockford Industrial TIF district, according to Rock River Current. The decision drew opposition due to the district's inclusion of land controlled by Monarch Energy for a potential data center. Alderwoman Gina Meeks and Alderman Tamir Bell cast the dissenting votes, citing environmental, noise, water, and energy concerns.
Simultaneously, Alderman Jonathan Logemann proposed a temporary moratorium on data center developments, as reported by Rock River Current, MyStateline, and WIFR. The estimated three-to-six-month pause would direct city staff to review best practices and evaluate potential regulations.
However, City Administrator Todd Cagnoni cautioned that an existing annexation agreement with Monarch Energy may supersede the moratorium, allowing data center development on that parcel to proceed regardless. Alderman Bell criticized the proposal as a "smokescreen" for that reason. Mayor Tom McNamara stated the city would respect existing agreements while ensuring future projects are evaluated thoughtfully. The moratorium proposal is scheduled for the Code and Regulation Committee on July 27. Alderwoman Meeks is separately developing potential zoning code text amendments to regulate data center development and decommissioning.
The TIF approval effectively resets the district's 23-year lifespan, extending expiration from 2035 to 2049. Mayor McNamara has previously stated that data center projects would not receive TIF incentives.
City Council approves controversial new TIF district in south Rockford
Rock River Current
Rockford alderman calls for data center moratorium
Rock River Current
Rockford leaders back proposed moratorium on data centers as city reviews regulations
MyStateline
Rockford leaders to push ‘moratorium’ on future data centers
WIFR
Rockford OKs annexation and new TIF District despite data center foes
Rockford Register Star
Palm Beach County Denies AI Data Center Zoning Request in 5-1 Vote
Palm Beach County Commissioners voted 5-1 to deny a zoning request for a 2 million-square-foot AI data center known as Project Tango, according to Stet News. The decision followed an 11-hour hearing in which opponents, including residents of the Arden community and the Western Palm Beach Community Alliance, argued the project was incompatible with the county's comprehensive growth plan. Commissioner Maria Marino cast the sole vote in favor.
Despite the denial, the project is not fully resolved. Two competing proposals from landowners PBA Holdings and WPB Logistics Owner remain under administrative review. These reviews will occur without public testimony and could potentially lead to an even larger data center footprint. Commissioners pressed Zoning Director Wendy Hernandez to confirm that incompatibility findings would influence these ongoing reviews.
The county announced a moratorium on July 7 to block new data center proposals for up to a year, though proposals submitted before that date—including those currently under review—will still be processed. The situation is further complicated by litigation between the two property owners regarding contractual obligations and land rights.
