Data Center Debate Divides Central Arkansas Over Proposed Projects
Central Arkansas is experiencing a significant debate over two proposed data centers by Google and AVAIO Digital in Pulaski County. Business leaders advocate for the projects' economic benefits, while community members and some elected officials voice concerns about their extensive water and electricity consumption and potential environmental impact. Proposed regulations for data centers were recently sent for further review by the Pulaski County Quorum Court amidst ongoing public and political division.
The national conversation surrounding data center development has intensified in central Arkansas, specifically in Pulaski County, where two projects by Google and AVAIO Digital are sparking a polarized debate. Jay Chesshir, president of the Little Rock Regional Chamber, along with Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority CEO Jean Block and Central Arkansas Water CEO Tad Bohannan, publicly endorsed the projects, highlighting potential economic benefits such as $4.5 million in property taxes from the Google facility and job creation. They also launched an informational website to counter what they termed "misinformation" circulating in the community.
However, this optimism is met with significant public opposition, led by figures such as Pulaski County Justice of the Peace Phil Stowers and Democratic nominee for county judge, Wendell Griffen, who defeated incumbent Barry Hyde in the primary on a platform of transparency and regulation for data centers. Residents and officials, including Justice of the Peace Julie Blackwood, voiced strong concerns about the immense water and electricity demands of these facilities, with one project potentially using four million gallons of water daily on peak days. Critics also pointed to a lack of public input, citing non-disclosure agreements signed by local officials.
Despite reassurances from utility executives, including Entergy Arkansas Vice President Ventrell Thompson and Central Arkansas Water CEO Tad Bohannan, that costs would not shift to residential customers and utilities could handle demand, skeptics like Kathy Wells, president of the Little Rock Coalition of Neighborhoods, remain unconvinced. Wells criticized the chamber's website for lacking detail and called on elected leaders to engage directly with the community. During a contentious Quorum Court meeting, proposed land use regulations for data centers were sent to the county planning department for further study rather than being placed on the May agenda, indicating an ongoing and unresolved debate within the community and government.