Jackson looking at possible locations for data center
The Jackson City Council passed a resolution to explore locations for data center development within the city, despite disagreement among council members about suitable sites. This follows a recently enacted six-month moratorium on data center actions. Concerns include citizen disturbance, infrastructure impact, and water supply.
The Jackson City Council recently passed a resolution, 5-2, to begin exploring potential locations for data center development within the city. This decision comes despite ongoing disagreement among council members regarding the most appropriate sites, particularly concerning their proximity to residential areas and existing infrastructure.
Councilman Kenneth Stokes, who supports bringing data centers to Jackson, suggested looking for land in areas that would not disturb citizens, specifically avoiding neighborhoods. However, this suggestion faced pushback from Councilman Grizell, who pointed out that some proposed areas, like around Hawkins Field, have nearby residences that could be impacted by noise and other factors.
Councilman Grizell also referred to a six-month moratorium recently enacted by the council, which temporarily pauses actions on data centers. He expressed a desire for a thorough review before decisions are made, mentioning that he's contacted other municipalities to learn from their experiences, and has yet to see a clear "payout" for such developments.
Mayor John Horne stated that to his knowledge, the city is not currently in talks with any specific entity for a data center. He acknowledged the potential economic opportunity but emphasized that any development must not harm citizens, impact existing infrastructure, or strain the water supply, noting current infrastructure limitations. The mayor and several council members agreed that an appropriate location should not negatively affect citizens.