Speaker White’s poll shows voters oppose data centers and back restoring ballot initiative
A poll released by Mississippi House Speaker Jason White found that 47.9% of likely voters oppose the state continuing to recruit data centers, compared with 28.3% who support it. Respondents cited concerns including potential increases in electricity costs, while the article also notes Amazon’s planned $12 billion expansion of its Mississippi investments.
A Cygnal poll commissioned or released by Mississippi House Speaker Jason White found that nearly half of likely Mississippi voters oppose continued state recruitment of data centers, while fewer than three in 10 support it. Opposition crossed party lines, although Republicans were more divided than Democrats and independents. The survey noted concerns that large projects could increase electricity costs, while supporters point to jobs and local investment.
The article identified Amazon’s planned $12 billion expansion in Mississippi as a major example of the state’s recruitment strategy. Gov. Tate Reeves announced that the investment would include $11 billion in Madison County operations and $1 billion to retrofit the former Delphi plant in Clinton, bringing Amazon’s planned Mississippi investment to $25 billion over two years. The poll also found broad support for restoring Mississippi’s ballot initiative process, though that issue ranked below economic and public-safety concerns among voters.