Northport Lacks the Power Lines Data Centers Need, Mayor Says
Northport, Alabama, is drafting zoning amendments for data centers despite lacking the necessary high-voltage power infrastructure, according to Mayor Dale Phillips. While no companies have approached the city, the proactive discussion aims to prepare for potential future interest, influenced by data center developments in wider Tuscaloosa County. The city council appears to be skipping a moratorium on data centers for now, opting instead to focus on zoning ordinances.
Northport Mayor Dale Phillips informed the city council that Northport, Alabama, currently lacks the high-voltage transmission infrastructure required by large data centers, and no company has yet expressed interest in building one in the city. The assessment came during a work session addressing whether Northport should incorporate data centers into its zoning code.
Despite the current lack of infrastructure and developer interest, city staff is proactively drafting zoning amendments to establish appropriate areas for data centers should a proposal arise. City administrator Terra Tubbs clarified that this work is at the staff level and will proceed through the council and planning and zoning commission before a final ordinance vote. Councilwoman Jamie Dykes raised the possibility of a moratorium on data center approvals, a measure taken by other cities, but city staff and Assistant City Attorney Kim King advised against it, stating it was unnecessary given the proactive zoning work and absence of current proposals.
Mayor Phillips stressed that this discussion is purely informational, aiming to provide accurate information to residents and gather their feedback at an upcoming town hall meeting. He emphasized that no data center projects are in the pipeline for Northport. The city's proactive stance is influenced by significant data center developments in eastern Tuscaloosa County, where companies like Applied Digital, Youngwoo & Associates, and Provident Data Centers have acquired substantial land parcels for data center campuses.