Vicksburg residents protest proposed Amazon data center
Residents in Vicksburg, Mississippi, are protesting a proposed $3 billion Amazon data center near Dana Road Elementary School. Concerns include increased energy and water costs, noise, light, and environmental impacts, despite promises of jobs and tax revenue. Entergy Mississippi stated that Amazon would cover higher power costs, not other customers.
Residents in Vicksburg, Mississippi, gathered to protest a proposed $3 billion Amazon Web Services data center. The facility is planned for Dana Road, near Dana Road Elementary School.
Economic development leaders had announced last fall that the project is expected to create at least 200 direct high-tech jobs and hundreds more indirect jobs, along with significant tax revenue for the area. However, the proposal has generated mixed reactions, with some residents actively protesting while others acknowledge the potential economic benefits.
Protesters express concerns about potential increases in energy and water costs for the community, as well as noise, light pollution, and other environmental impacts. One resident emphasized the need to understand the project's implications and support what is best for Vicksburg. Entergy Mississippi, the local utility provider, has stated that any higher power costs associated with the data center would be covered by Amazon Web Services through a specific contract structure, ensuring these costs would not be passed on to other customers.