The City of Jackson Pauses Data Center Construction Until It Passes Regulations
The City of Jackson, Mississippi, has paused data center construction until it develops and passes new regulations. This action follows a proposal for a six-month moratorium by City Council President Brian Grizzell and extensive community input from residents concerned about environmental impacts, noise, and strain on infrastructure. Rezoning hearings for a potential data center project by Saxum Investment Company are also delayed.
The City of Jackson, Mississippi, has announced a pause on all data center construction until new regulations are drafted and approved. City Council President Brian Grizzell confirmed this decision at a June 22 public hearing, which was convened to gather community input on the proposed regulations.
The pause follows Grizzell's May proposal for a six-month moratorium on data center construction to allow city officials time to formulate appropriate rules. Residents, including Ward 1 Executive Director of Mississippi for a Just World Candace Abdul-Tawwab and Ward 2 resident Thomas Cheetham Jr., voiced strong concerns at the hearing. Many residents advocated for stricter regulations or outright bans, citing fears over air and water pollution, construction noise, and increased demands on the power grid. Cheetham specifically highlighted his opposition to a proposed data center near his Ashley Estates home, for which Saxum Investment Company, an out-of-state firm, seeks to rezone 230 acres on Forest Avenue Extension.
Robert Ireland, representing Saxum Investment Company, was the sole speaker in favor of data center construction at the hearing, though he supported the city's adoption of regulations. He suggested that Jackson could implement standards requiring projects to prove existing infrastructure can meet their demands without adversely affecting residents.
The Jackson City Council is currently reviewing public comments and working to develop a draft ordinance. An additional public hearing is anticipated for community feedback on the proposed regulations, and rezoning hearings for the Forest Avenue Extension site remain postponed until the new data center-specific regulations are in place, according to Jackson Director of Planning and Development Angela Brown.