Coalition of Mississippi River mayors meet in Natchez during...
Mayors from the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative met in Natchez to discuss AI data center concerns, water security, and legislation to limit mass water exports. They addressed potential strains data centers could place on resources and looked to Missouri's recently passed water protection law as a template for other states. Lawmakers from Minnesota, Mississippi, and Louisiana committed to introducing similar legislation to safeguard water resources.
The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) held its 15th annual meeting in Natchez, Mississippi, where mayors from over 100 communities and legislators from multiple states gathered. The two-part conference coincided with the groundbreaking of a new $5 million cruise dock by American Cruise Lines on Silver Street, a significant investment in Natchez's riverfront infrastructure.
A primary focus of the meeting was safeguarding the Mississippi River against mass water exportation and responsibly growing the AI economy in river communities. MRCTI spokesperson Colin Wellenkamp highlighted that not all data centers offer equal benefits, noting concerns about their high consumption of water and energy, potential for air and noise pollution, and strain on local resources, particularly in rural areas. Mayor Melisa Logan of Blytheville, Arkansas, and co-chair of MRCTI, stated that data center construction has reached record levels, with hyperscale AI infrastructure projected to cost nearly $700 billion in 2026. She noted that over 75 percent of MRCTI cities have been approached to host AI infrastructure.
Mayor David Goins of Alton, Illinois, emphasized the need for communities to make informed decisions when engaging with AI infrastructure opportunities. To support this, MRCTI has partnered with the Sierra Club Wishlist and the AI Infrastructure Evaluation Network to provide resources. Regarding water security, Mayor Logan underscored that current threats from droughts are more severe than in the past two decades.
The coalition discussed Missouri's 2025 statewide water protection law, which created a permitting process to limit mass water exportation. MRCTI officials presented this law as a template for the other nine Mississippi River states. State lawmakers from Minnesota, Mississippi, and Louisiana have already committed to introducing similar legislation, with Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman praising Missouri's proactive approach. Mayors Errick Simmons of Greenville, Mississippi, and Buz Craft of Vidalia, Louisiana, along with Louisiana Rep. C. Travis Johnson III, voiced strong support for the Mississippi River Compact legislation, emphasizing the critical importance of water resources for their states' economies and future generations.