Jackson Councilman Proposes Lifting Data Center Moratorium Amid Heated Opposition
Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes proposed lifting the city’s 183-day moratorium on data center construction, arguing that the projects could bring investment and help fund infrastructure improvements. Residents opposed to data centers cited environmental, energy and water-use concerns, and a council meeting became chaotic after Stokes exchanged insults with protesters.
Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes introduced a proposal to lift the city’s 183-day moratorium on data center construction, saying Jackson could lose investment to nearby communities such as Brandon, Clinton, Ridgeland, Madison and Rankin County. He argued that data center revenue could help address the city’s deteriorating infrastructure.
Residents opposing the development raised concerns about energy demand, water consumption, pollution and who would benefit economically from the projects. The meeting drew national attention after Stokes directed anti-Muslim and profane remarks at protesters, prompting calls for his resignation from protester Candace Abdul-Tawwab and disciplinary action from the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The debate also comes as xAI, led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, plans two additional data centers near the Mississippi-Tennessee border.