Mayor: No data center in the works for Lake Hico
Jackson Mayor John Horhn stated that a data center project is not currently in the works for the Lake Hico site, though a developer is considering it. This statement came during a federal court hearing where U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate expressed concern about the potential impact on JXN Water. The city recently passed a six-month moratorium on data center developments and is working on new ordinances.
Jackson Mayor John Horhn stated that no data center project is officially underway for the Lake Hico site, though developer Goel Investments LLC is considering it among several redevelopment options. His comments were made during a U.S. District Court hearing convened by Judge Henry Wingate, who expressed concern about the potential impact of a data center on JXN Water, which operates under federal oversight. Judge Wingate emphasized the necessity of involving JXN Water's interim manager, Ted Henifin, in any such development discussions.
City Attorney Drew Martin clarified that no formal application for a data center at Lake Hico has been submitted, describing any discussions as "very, very, very premature." Goel Investments LLC holds a three-year option on the 654-acre Lake Hico property, owned by Jackson Public Schools, to conduct due diligence for various potential uses, including residential, commercial, and industrial, with data centers being one possibility.
The city is also considering a data center project on Forest Avenue, where a rezoning application has been submitted but tabled until new ordinances are in place. This comes as the Jackson City Council recently enacted a six-month moratorium on data center developments, which will take effect next month. Mayor Horhn acknowledged strong opposition to data centers, partly stemming from a controversial xAI project in Southaven, and the historical sensitivity surrounding the Lake Hico site, which was a segregated recreational facility.
Officials are developing new data center ordinances, expected in six weeks, which will require developers to secure permits from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and obtain approval from JXN Water to ensure projects do not burden residents with water and energy costs. MDEQ Executive Director Chris Wells previously indicated that a hyperscale data center at Lake Hico would use approximately nine million gallons of water daily, which he estimated would have "no impact" on JXN Water or the Pearl River.