After public outcry, DeSoto County moves forward on data center moratorium

DeSoto County commissioners have taken a significant step towards enacting a one-year moratorium on new data center applications, following nearly three hours of public comment expressing strong opposition. By a unanimous vote, four commissioners directed the county attorney to prepare an ordinance that would prevent the acceptance of new applications for the coming year. This action signals a potential shift in the commission's stance on such developments, which they initially welcomed for their tax revenue potential.

The proposed moratorium, however, would not impact projects already in the pipeline, specifically mentioning a rezoning application for an 800-acre gas-powered hyperscale data center complex by DCIP Group. This project, which includes plans for over a dozen facilities, is still under review. Residents, including Sarah Hollenhorst, Asha Stalnaker, and pastor Nathan Headrick, voiced concerns about the project's long-term environmental impacts, particularly water use and noise, and a perceived lack of transparency regarding specific project details from DCIP Group CEO Jon Brown.

Commissioners, including Elton Langford, acknowledged residents' concerns, stating they had educated themselves on data centers and were listening to their constituents. This comes after the commission previously approved DCIP Group's request to rezone 34 acres for an initial data center facility in March. The larger project is being considered under the county's Rapid Response pilot program, designed to fast-track economic development. The vote to draft the moratorium ordinance followed a meeting packed with residents, none of whom spoke in favor of the pending project or against the proposed moratorium.