Prichard questions validity of data center permit issued before moratorium
The Prichard City Council is challenging the validity of a building permit issued for a proposed $93 million Edged data center. The council argues the permit was issued illegally as the project's site plan did not undergo a required planning commission review, and they are considering a resolution to invalidate it and refund fees. This dispute raises questions about whether the project now falls under the city's recently enacted six-month data center moratorium, posing significant financial implications for Prichard's projected revenue.
The Prichard City Council is questioning the legality of a building permit issued for a proposed $93 million Edged data center. Council members contend that the permit should not have been granted because the project's site plan failed to undergo a mandatory review by the planning commission.
The council is now considering a resolution to declare the permit illegal and has moved to refund the $224,000 in application fees paid by the developer. A central issue is whether the project, for which the permit was issued on July 30, now falls under a six-month data center moratorium that the council approved on August 4. Councilwoman Stephani Norwood believes the project is subject to the moratorium, but Mayor Carletta Davis has stated that the situation presents a legal question.
The outcome carries substantial financial weight for Prichard. Mayor Davis's proposed 2026-27 budget forecasts a 46.1% increase in sales-tax collections, explicitly attributing this growth to the implementation and operation of the data center project. The budget also anticipates approximately $90,000 in annual property-tax revenue from the development. The city's attorney declined to comment on the ongoing issue.