Data center firm sues Pulaski County 3 days after new regulations passed in Quorum Court
ADP Little Rock Data Hub, the company behind AVAIO Digital's proposed $6 billion data center near Wrightsville, sued Pulaski County and local officials over a newly passed ordinance restricting data center construction. The lawsuit argues the ordinance is unconstitutional, improperly reverses the project's site plan approval, and violates federal and state law.
ADP Little Rock Data Hub, the real estate holding company behind AVAIO Digital's planned data center near Wrightsville, filed a federal lawsuit against Pulaski County, County Judge Barry Hyde and Quorum Court member Julie Blackwood. The suit came three days after the Quorum Court passed an ordinance imposing new controls on data center construction, overriding Hyde's earlier veto.
The company says the ordinance unlawfully applies new restrictions to the $6 billion project, which began construction after receiving site plan approval in August. It alleges violations involving vested property rights, due process, interstate commerce and the authority of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, while also accusing the Quorum Court of conducting nonpublic communications in violation of the Freedom of Information Act. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the ordinance or award damages, attorney's fees and court costs.