Weekly State Rankings — March 30, 2026

#1 Mississippi

This week's rankings saw notable movement across the board, with Mississippi entering the top 10 for the first time and Missouri surging seven spots to #6. Zoning approvals continued to dominate the news cycle, while lawsuits in New Mexico and Georgia added legal complexity to several high-profile projects. South Dakota's governor signed new data center legislation into law, and Indiana maintained its streak of local approvals despite slipping one spot.

Mississippi debuts at the top of the rankings this week, earning an A grade on the strength of zoning activity in Clarksdale. According to DeSoto County News, Clarksdale approved rezoning for a potential data center, signaling an early stage of discussion. Mississippi Today described the rezoning vote as "the beginning of the conversation," and Action News 5 also confirmed the motion passed. The state's regulatory landscape is still emerging, though prior week coverage from localmemphis.com noted experts warning of health risks tied to an xAI power plant in Southaven, indicating that not all developments in the state are proceeding without scrutiny.

#2 Indiana

Indiana slipped one spot to #2 but retains its A grade as local approvals continue to accumulate. InkFreeNews.com reported that the Indy Commission cleared the way for the city's first hyperscale data center. In Kokomo, the city council passed annexation and rezoning in an 8-1 vote, according to cnhinews.com, though WRTV noted the approval came amid opposition from residents. These follow prior week approvals including a $4 billion data center project in Decatur Township, as reported by WIBC and Hot 100.9, and a separate approval in Marion County covered by WFIU & WTIU News.

#3 Texas

Texas dropped one spot to #3 while holding an A grade, reflecting a mixed regulatory picture across the state. The Austin American-Statesman reported on moratorium proposals and project blocks in Central Austin, where more than 70 data centers are planned or operating. Meanwhile, KWTX reported that Lacy Lakeview is considering using wastewater to supply a proposed data center. In Amarillo, Spectrum News reported that an environmental agency approved a data center project despite community pushback. Prior week developments included project opposition in San Marcos per Deceleration, resident concerns in Fort Worth per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and a rejected moratorium in Fayette County per The Fayette County Record.

#4 New Mexico

New Mexico holds steady at #4 with an A grade as Project Jupiter continues to generate legal and legislative activity. A judge ruled that a lawsuit against the project can move forward, according to KOB.com and KRQE. Additionally, The Tri-City Record reported that southern New Mexico lawmakers are seeking a public hearing on Project Jupiter permits, with the outlet noting a ruling against the developer. Prior week coverage from KVIA covered the lawsuit over tax incentives, while Hobbs News-Sun reported that Lea County set new regulations for potential data centers. KFOX also reported that a judge denied Dona Ana County's bid to dismiss an open meetings lawsuit related to the project.

#5 South Dakota

South Dakota climbed one spot to #5, maintaining its A grade after the governor signed two new data center laws into effect. KELOLAND.com reported on the signing, and KELOLAND News examined how the two laws impact the state's data center landscape. In prior weeks, Agweek reported on electricity consumption questions surrounding a project in Brandon, and KELOLAND.com covered a group that says it has a better plan for the Smithfield site in Sioux Falls. SiouxFalls.Business explored the broader challenges of regionalization in the Sioux Falls area.

#6 Missouri

Missouri is the biggest mover this week, surging seven spots to #6 and earning an A grade. A key development came when a court dismissed a residents' bid to vote on a Nebius AI data center tax deal in Jackson County, as reported by KCTV5 News. The St. Louis American reported that St. Louis is confronting energy and equity questions as data centers loom, with a moratorium having been rejected and zoning still pending. In Independence, data center development was referenced in a city council election questionnaire covered by kshb.com. Prior week clips showed the Joplin city council ending a petition to block a data center, per KOAM News Now, and Google purchasing 430 acres in Kansas City's Northland approved for a $100 billion data center campus, per The Business Journals. KCUR also reported on the broader implications of Kansas City's AI data center building boom.

#7 Virginia

Virginia moved up two spots to #7, retaining its A grade. The state's biggest news this week centered on Google's plans to break ground on a data center campus in Botetourt County. Cardinal News reported the company expects construction to begin in coming months, with WSET and WDBJ7 also covering the announcement. In recent weeks, Virginia's regulatory landscape has included both approvals and pushback. Annandale Today reported a land sale approval for a data center in Chantilly, while the Prince William Times published a letter about noise and pollution concerns near schools in Bristow. Northern Virginia Magazine reported that a Prince William County park was rated among the top 10 most endangered public lands in the U.S., with data center zoning appeals and lawsuits cited as factors.

#8 Alabama

Alabama fell three spots to #8 this week but keeps its A grade. Activity centered on Birmingham, where a zoning meeting addressed a proposed AI factory substation. WVTM reported that Oxmoor Valley residents voiced opposition at the meeting, though the motion was ultimately approved, as confirmed by spotonalabama.com and CBS 42. The prior week saw the Birmingham Planning Commission approve new data center rules after public debate, per WBMA. In Stockton, a moratorium was proposed amid ongoing debate, as noted by Yellowhammer News, and Heatmap News drew parallels between data center fights and the Occupy Wall Street movement.

#9 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania dropped two spots to #9 while maintaining its A grade. Several townships are actively navigating zoning processes and legal challenges. The Hazleton Standard Speaker reported that a zoning hearing in Dorrance Township resumed on Monday, with a lawsuit filed in connection with the proceedings. In Hempfield, TribLIVE.com reported the township updated its zoning to confine data centers to industrial zones. The Scranton Times-Tribune covered a Ransom Township planning commission discussion on a data center ordinance, with zoning still pending and a lawsuit filed. In the prior week, the Hazleton Standard Speaker reported that NEPA data centers could look to reclaimed water for cooling. The Times Leader also covered a historic 1,700-acre land sale in Salem Township for a major data center campus, and the Hazleton Standard Speaker reported on ongoing zoning and legal activity in Sugarloaf Township.

#10 Georgia

Georgia rose two spots to #10 with an A grade, as both political and legal developments shaped the state's data center landscape this week. The Macon Telegraph reported that a Democratic gubernatorial candidate called for ending data center tax breaks during a stop in Macon. Environmental groups filed suit over Georgia Power's energy expansion plans for data centers, according to WFXG and WSB-TV. Prior week activity included a moratorium extension and pending zoning in Athens, per The Red & Black, and a data center project in Fayetteville that was halted after developers withdrew their appeal, per FOX 5 Atlanta. WRDW News 12 reported that lawsuits targeting Columbia County data center projects were dismissed.