The Arkadelphian: Shelley Short answers data center questions

Shelley Short, CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance, has acknowledged significant public opposition to a proposed data center near Gum Springs, Clark County, Arkansas. Despite the economic development board's agreement to sell a 1,000-acre industrial site for the project, citizens quickly organized a Facebook group, "Take a stand for Clark County-NO DATA Centers," which garnered 400 followers and is planning a community meeting in May. Opponents cite concerns over environmental impacts, noise pollution, and the limited job creation typical of data centers. Short, who requested an interview with The Arkadelphian, stated that developers representing the end buyer initiated contact with her office, not vice versa. While other data center operators had shown interest in Clark County, only one serious prospect emerged. The identity of the end buyer, currently referred to as "Project Pulse," remains confidential until an official announcement before the September closing. However, a Google search, based on the developer's statement about an ongoing $175 million infrastructure project in Wisconsin, strongly suggests Vantage Data Centers, which is building a $15 billion AI data center campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The land sale is progressing, with DC Devco LLC, the Atlanta-based developer, already depositing an initial earnest money installment. The next steps involve assessing power availability and costs to determine the project's viability. Short assured the public that the facility would adhere to all local, state, and federal environmental regulations, including those for water treatment and wastewater discharge. She also clarified that the estimated 50,000 gallons of daily water usage for cooling is for the entire operation and is considered minimal compared to other industries.