A Data Center Promises Jobs in This Black Town, but Residents Aren’t Convinced
Residents of Clarksdale, Mississippi, are opposing a proposed hyperscale data center development, citing concerns over environmental impact, strained resources, and lack of transparency. The City of Clarksdale approved an ordinance to rezone land for light industrial use, including data centers, and imposed impact fees and environmental parameters on potential developers. A group of residents has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging improper notice and seeking a review of the ordinance.
Residents of Clarksdale, Mississippi, are challenging the city's efforts to attract a hyperscale data center, despite projections of millions in tax revenue and hundreds of jobs. Voneshay Walker, a Clarksdale native, expresses concerns about the potential strain on the city's water and electricity resources, increased pollution, and the impact on elderly residents.
In March, the Clarksdale Board of Commissioners rezoned 648 acres from commercial and agricultural to light industrial, a move intended to pave the way for economic development, including data centers. However, residents claim they were not adequately informed about the plans, leading to significant community division and a public forum where most speakers opposed the project. Ward 3 Commissioner Eddie Earl defended the city's actions, stating the ordinance positions Clarksdale to attract businesses during a financial crisis.
Following the ordinance's passage, approximately 15 residents, primarily from the historic Black neighborhood of Roundyard, filed a complaint against the city in Coahoma County Circuit Court. They allege the public was not given proper notice of the land's intended use and are requesting the city appeal the ordinance and send it back to the planning commission for proper review. The NAACP also submitted a public records request to the city, which they claim was not fulfilled adequately. The city filed a motion to dismiss the residents' claim, and the litigation is pending.
Clarksdale Public Utilities General Manager Curtis Boschert acknowledged that a large data center could lead to a tenfold increase in demand on the city's grid and a significant demand on the water system, necessitating studies and developer-funded upgrades. The approved ordinance includes parameters for developers, such as a $5 million impact fee, water usage limits, and a 1,000-foot buffer, which an anonymous official stated were put in place to benefit the city and mitigate environmental impact. Despite these conditions, residents like Walker remain skeptical that officials will hold developers accountable or that the project will genuinely benefit the community.