Data center eyes Clark County, set to buy mega site in $11M deal

The Economic Development Corp. of Clark County unanimously approved the sale of the 991-acre Southwest Arkansas Mega Site in Gum Springs to DC Devco LLC for an estimated $11.4 million. This action clears the way for "Project Pulse," an unnamed buyer's proposed data center campus, projected to create 150 primary jobs and involve a minimum investment of $1 billion, with operations potentially commencing by 2032. The site, situated about five miles south of Arkadelphia, is already equipped with essential water, power, and natural gas utilities. During a 90-minute special meeting, representatives for the buyer, described as Atlanta-area businessmen, addressed various concerns. They assured that the data center would not strain the local power grid or lead to increased residents' utility bills, citing Entergy's capacity and new industrial customers' contributions to grid maintenance. Furthermore, they highlighted the project's minimal environmental footprint compared to a previous paper mill proposal, emphasizing no air pollution and negligible noise. Clark County Judge Troy Tucker and Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley expressed support for the project. The representatives clarified that the data center would primarily generate technical careers and utilize a closed-loop cooling system requiring approximately 50,000 gallons of water daily, which is well within the area's capacity and would not impact the Arkadelphia water system or involve chemical discharge. Board member Brian Kirksey acknowledged the likelihood of "NIMBY" (Not In My Back Yard) opposition but underscored the significant opportunity for community advancement, leading to the unanimous approval of the sale agreement, which is expected to include a customary tax abatement.