Pulaski County Quorum Court committee allows data center project to move forward
The Pulaski County Quorum Court committee advanced a less restrictive moratorium proposal, allowing an existing data center project to proceed while limiting future developments. Community members had urged a stricter pause due to concerns over noise, water, and power. The full quorum court will consider the ordinance on July 23rd.
The Pulaski County Quorum Court committee recently took a step toward implementing a temporary pause on future data center development, though not without significant debate. Community members present urged county leaders to approve a more stringent moratorium that would have halted an already approved data center project. Concerns cited by residents included transparency, potential noise pollution, substantial water usage, and increased power demand from the data center operations.
However, the justices ultimately advanced a less restrictive proposal. This allows the existing data center project to proceed as planned, while simultaneously putting limits on new data center developments in the county. One community member expressed disappointment, stating, "I mean, there are so many concerns, and when you water down an ordinance, I just feel like we're not getting the protection that we deserve."
The proposed ordinance will now move to the full Pulaski County Quorum Court for further consideration and a vote. The issue is scheduled to be taken up again on July 23rd, where a final decision is expected on the scope of future data center development within the county.