Debate grows over data centers expanding in unincorporated Shelby County
The Shelby County Commission is advancing a proposed moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated Shelby County. Commissioner Henry Brooks and community activist Keyshawn Pearson said the pause would allow officials to develop safeguards addressing land use, water resources, pollution, community input and economic impacts.
Shelby County Commissioner Henry Brooks said the proposed moratorium would apply to unincorporated Shelby County, where no data centers are currently operating. He described the pause as an opportunity to consult experts and establish zoning, land-use and environmental safeguards before developers seek projects in the area.
Community activist Keyshawn Pearson argued that data center growth in nearby Southaven, Mississippi, and the Memphis region shows how quickly the industry can expand. Pearson questioned whether promised jobs and economic benefits would reach local residents, citing concerns about pollution and water resources, while Brooks said the county should protect farmland, green spaces and community interests without automatically rejecting data center development. The discussion noted that Memphis Light, Gas and Water did not have data centers scheduled in its pipeline for the next six to 12 months, and a community town hall was announced to gather public input.