Jackson City Council votes to pause new data center development in Jackson
The Jackson City Council has approved a 183-day moratorium on new data center proposals, effective in 30 days. This pause allows the city to develop new regulations addressing location, operation, noise, water use, and air quality concerns. The decision follows months of public debate and resident opposition to the rapid expansion of data centers.
The Jackson City Council has enacted a 183-day moratorium on new data center proposals, with the ordinance going into effect in 30 days. The decision, approved by a 5-2 vote on Tuesday, July 14, aims to provide the city with time to develop comprehensive regulations concerning data center location, operation, and environmental impacts.
Council members Tina Clay, Kenneth Stokes, Brian Grizzell, Lashia Brown-Thomas, and Kevin Parkinson voted in favor, while Ashby Foote and Vernon Hartley opposed the measure. The vote came after months of intense public debate and community opposition, with residents expressing concerns about noise, water consumption, and air quality from data center developments, particularly a proposed project by New Jersey-based Saxum Investment Group in Ward 2.
Councilman Foote argued against the moratorium, highlighting the potential for significant economic development and tax revenue for the city, Hinds County, and Jackson Public Schools. However, Councilwoman Clay countered, stating that the city's financial challenges should not dictate data center development without proper oversight, and questioned the timing of the data center discussions relative to the city's budget issues. An amendment by Councilman Parkinson to exempt land near Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport from the moratorium was approved, while his proposal to shorten the moratorium to 60 days failed. The Planning Board had previously postponed Saxum Investment Group's rezoning request for their proposed 190-acre data center.