Developer says Jackson data center could bring jobs, school revenue
Jackson developer Gabriel Prado has proposed building a new data center in the metro area, touting its potential for job creation and public school revenue. The project faces opposition from residents concerned about transparency and potential community impact. Prado also opposes a proposed moratorium on data center construction in Jackson.
Jackson real estate developer Gabriel Prado has put forward a proposal for a new data center in the metro area of Jackson, Mississippi. Prado suggests the project would generate new jobs and provide additional revenue for local public schools. He has received approval from the Mississippi Public Service Commission to construct his own unregulated power-generating plant to support the facility.
While Prado has not confirmed a specific 190-acre site in West Jackson as the intended development location, he highlighted how having self-generated power could facilitate development in areas historically overlooked by utilities. He also expressed hopes that his project would contribute to broader economic development, drawing comparisons to the $25 billion generated by AWS data centers in Madison County.
The proposed data center, however, is encountering resistance. Opponents, including resident Natalie Speaks, have voiced significant concerns regarding a perceived lack of transparency from both public officials and private corporations involved in the project. Speaks emphasized the absence of scientific data to substantiate claims of no harm to communities.
Adding to the local discourse, Prado has publicly stated his opposition to a proposed moratorium on data center construction within Jackson. The timing for the site to attract a data center has not been specified by Prado.