Pulaski County enacts 1-year data center moratorium, exempts AVAIO project
The Pulaski County Quorum Court has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data centers in response to public outcry over various concerns. The decision, however, exempts the ongoing $6 billion AVAIO Digital project and others that have already begun the approval process. The county plans to use this period to develop specific regulations for data centers.
The Pulaski County Quorum Court has passed a one-year moratorium on new data center developments in the county, following significant public opposition and concerns regarding the facilities.
The moratorium aims to provide the county with time to establish specific regulations for data centers, as some Quorum Court members felt blindsided by the AVAIO Digital project near Wrightsville. Justice of the Peace Julie Blackwood expressed a desire for regulation, describing the current situation as the "Wild West."
Despite the moratorium, the $6 billion AVAIO Digital project, which began its approval process in 2024, has been exempted to avoid potential litigation against the county. Jay Chesshir, President and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber, stated that the AVAIO project has been vetted for over a year and a half, with existing regulations already addressing public concerns such as water, wastewater, and electrical capacity.
However, there is debate over whether Arkansas law, specifically Act 851, allows the county to impose a moratorium or specific regulations solely targeting data centers. During the moratorium, the Quorum Court has directed the County Planning Board to study the impact of data centers on power and water resources, explore potential zoning regulations, and facilitate public meetings for community input.