DeSoto County pauses new data centers amid Arcadia AI project fears
DeSoto County Commissioners unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center projects following significant public opposition. This decision, however, does not cover a large 1,300-acre AI data center project near Arcadia that is still moving through the approval process. Residents raised concerns about the project's impact on water and air quality, and the county's character.
DeSoto County Commissioners have unanimously approved a one-year pause on new data center projects in the county. This decision was made during a highly anticipated and emotionally charged meeting, as reported by Wink News reporter Hunter Waterman.
The pause comes amidst strong public opposition to a massive artificial intelligence data center planned just outside Arcadia. Residents expressed concerns about the project's potential impact on water quality, air quality, and Arcadia's small-town character. While commissioners had previously approved one 34-acre phase of this project, the company developing it indicated it could expand to over 1,300 acres. The newly enacted one-year moratorium will not apply to this specific large project, which continues through its approval process.
Earlier in the month, the planning commission had recommended a more stringent two-year moratorium that would have included the large AI data center project. However, the county attorney advised against such a measure due to potential legal exposure for DeSoto County. Despite this, many residents supported the one-year pause, with some appealing to commissioners to prevent further data center development, emphasizing the importance of water and stewardship. Attorneys representing the unnamed company involved in the 1,300-acre project were also present and supported the one-year pause. The final approval for the 1,300-acre project is still pending before the commissioners.