Mississippi supervisors get crash course on data centers as industry expands statewide
Mississippi county supervisors attended a two-day convening in Jackson to learn about the potential impacts of expanding data center development across the state. County leaders are concerned about rising utility rates and increased water usage by data centers. The Mississippi Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus organized the event to provide answers to these critical questions.
County supervisors from across Mississippi convened in Jackson for a two-day "crash course" on the expanding data center industry and its potential effects on their communities. The Mississippi Association of Supervisors Minority Caucus hosted the event at the Westin Hotel, responding to numerous calls from county leaders seeking answers to pressing questions.
Executive Director Andrew Smith stated that his office had been "flooded with calls" from supervisors concerned about issues such as increased utility rates for citizens and the impact on local water supplies, including the possibility of water wells going dry. Smith admitted he previously "couldn't always answer" these questions himself, leading to the organization of the convening. He expressed the need to share more information about data centers within Mississippi, highlighting the complexity and widespread concern surrounding their rapid expansion. The event aimed to educate local leaders on these projects to better prepare them for future developments in their respective counties.