What is next for Jackson data center moratorium? City leaders weigh in
Jackson's 183-day moratorium on new data center development is in effect while city officials develop permanent regulations. Mayor John Horhn supports considering data centers for their potential revenue, but council members and residents want safeguards addressing utility costs, water, noise, electricity demand, environmental impacts and proximity to homes.
The Jackson City Council enacted a 183-day moratorium on new data center development, effective Aug. 13, to give officials time to create permanent regulations. No final rules or public hearing date have been set, although Council President Vernon Hartley said a revised ordinance is awaiting legal review and another hearing could be scheduled within weeks. Councilman Brian Grizzell, who authored the moratorium, is also preparing a separate draft.
Mayor John Horhn said data centers could provide significant revenue for Jackson but should not raise utility costs or harm water, air quality or neighborhoods. Grizzell and residents have called for safeguards covering setbacks, noise, water and electricity use, environmental effects, infrastructure capacity and emergency response. City leaders must decide whether to adopt regulations before the moratorium expires or take additional action, while Horhn warned that prolonged controversy could cause Jackson to lose projects to competing communities.