Pulask County judge candidate proposes data center regulations

Pulaski County Judge candidate Wendell Griffin has unveiled a comprehensive three-part plan to address the rapid development of large-scale technology facilities, such as data centers, within Pulaski County, Arkansas. During a press conference, Griffin highlighted the significant demands these high-intensity digital infrastructure projects place on local resources, including the electric grid, water systems, roads, and emergency services, noting that they operate on a scale comparable to small communities. Griffin's proposals, which would require approval from the Pulaski County Quorum Court, aim not to halt growth but to manage it responsibly. The first part suggests the Quorum Court adopt a resolution to classify these facilities as 'heavy industrial uses' based on their infrastructure demands and operational intensity. Secondly, he proposes a resolution to establish a regional infrastructure impact policy specifically for large-scale industrial and digital infrastructure development within the Sweet Home and Port of Little Rock corridor. Lastly, Griffin advocates for a county-wide ordinance that would mandate a conditional use permit process for all large-scale projects, ensuring that necessary infrastructure capacity is in place and that the financial burden of these developments is not passed on to taxpayers.