[Recording, transcript added]: Data center eyes Clark County, set to buy mega site in $11M deal

The Economic Development Corp. of Clark County (EDCCC) board unanimously approved the sale of the 991-acre Southwest Arkansas Mega Site in Gum Springs, Arkansas, for an estimated $11.4 million. The buyer, DC Devco LLC, plans to develop a data center campus, currently codenamed "Project Pulse," which is projected to create 150 primary jobs and involve a minimum investment of $1 billion. The ultimate buyer's identity will be disclosed before the property's closing. During a special 90-minute meeting on April 16, representatives for the buyer, including Cameron Grogan, Chris Hoag, and David Aldridge, addressed various concerns. They assured board members that the data center would not strain the local power grid or raise residents' electricity bills. They cited information from Entergy, explaining that new industrial customers contribute to grid maintenance and that the data center's power demand would be met by newly generated capacity in coordination with utility companies. Regarding water consumption, the representatives stated that a closed-loop cooling system would be utilized, using approximately 50,000 gallons of water per day, representing only about 8% of the site's estimated capacity. They emphasized that this system would not impact the Arkadelphia water supply or introduce chemicals into the water/sewer system. Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley expressed full support for the project. Clark County Judge Troy Tucker sought a clearer understanding of data center operations. While EDCCC board member Brian Kirksey acknowledged the likelihood of "NIMBY" (Not In My Back Yard) arguments, he advocated for the project as an opportunity for community advancement in technology. Shelley Short, CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance, voiced excitement about the project, with potential operations by 2032. The company is not seeking incentive money from the EDCCC, though a tax abatement is expected as a standard part of economic development.