Data Center Signal

Arkansas

Data center activity in Arkansas

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Regulatory Environment Score
B
-5 pts

Arkansas is a favorable market where moratoriums are the primary source of friction, with at least 30 enacted, though at least 17 other proposals were rejected. Zoning decisions lean heavily toward approval, with at least eight approvals and just one reported denial. Opposition rarely succeeds, as only one project has been reported blocked while at least two advanced despite objections. With at least 31 companies active, Arkansas looks more stable than neighboring Mississippi and Oklahoma, though the volume of local moratoriums deserves attention.

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Google’s solar plant deal with Entergy will shift $308 million in costs to Arkansas ratepayers, regulators say
News ClipNorthwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette·West Memphis, Crittenden County, AR

Google’s solar plant deal with Entergy will shift $308 million in costs to Arkansas ratepayers, regulators say$

Arkansas regulators say a solar and battery storage plant associated with Google’s West Memphis data center will cost Entergy Arkansas customers $308 million more than it would have if Google-funded construction money had been used. Construction continues on Google’s $4 billion data center project near West Memphis, which is intended to support its search and artificial intelligence operations.

electricitygovernment
Google
10/23/2026
Little Rock rejects six-month data center moratorium as Google plans $1 billion facility
News ClipKATV·Little Rock, Pulaski County, AR

Little Rock rejects six-month data center moratorium as Google plans $1 billion facility

The Little Rock Board of Directors rejected a proposed six-month moratorium on new hyperscale data center approvals in a 4-4 vote. The debate comes as Google plans a $1 billion data center at the Port of Little Rock, with officials divided over whether additional study and regulations are needed.

moratoriumzoninggovernmentwaterenvironmentalopposition
Google
10/21/2026
Little Rock Board of Directors Rejects 6-month Data Center Moratorium
News Clip1:15arkansasonline·Little Rock, Pulaski County, AR

Little Rock Board of Directors Rejects 6-month Data Center Moratorium

The Little Rock Board of Directors rejected a proposed six-month moratorium on large data center projects in a 4-4 vote, short of the six votes required for passage. The measure was sponsored by directors Kathy Webb and Kappy Peek, while director Antoine Phillips recused himself because his law firm is involved in the data center project.

moratoriumgovernment
10/21/2026
Little Rock board fails again to pass data center moratorium
News ClipArkansas Times·Little Rock, Pulaski County, AR

Little Rock board fails again to pass data center moratorium

The Little Rock City Board of Directors again failed to pass a proposed six-month moratorium on data center projects, voting 4-4 when six votes were required. Supporters said the pause would give the city time to develop rules addressing water use, noise, infrastructure, zoning and monitoring, as Google plans a $1 billion data center at the Port of Little Rock.

moratoriumgovernmentwaterzoningenvironmental
Google
10/21/2026
Little Rock approves retiree pension increases, youth program funding; data center pause fails
News Clip2:01FOX 16 KLRT·Little Rock, Pulaski County, AR

Little Rock approves retiree pension increases, youth program funding; data center pause fails

Little Rock city directors rejected a proposal to pause approvals for hyperscale data centers for six months after a tied vote. The proposed pause would have allowed the city to study water, wastewater, noise, emergency infrastructure, zoning and public-disclosure requirements for large facilities.

moratoriumgovernmentenvironmentalwaterzoning
10/21/2026
Entergy files heavily redacted amended application for Google’s West Memphis data center project
News ClipThe Arkansas Democrat-Gazette·West Memphis, Crittenden County, AR

Entergy files heavily redacted amended application for Google’s West Memphis data center project$

Entergy filed a heavily redacted amended application with the Arkansas Public Service Commission to support Google’s expanding data center campus near West Memphis. The proposal increases Google’s planned electricity demand and adds two battery storage facilities, while keeping details about rates, infrastructure costs and termination fees confidential.

announcementelectricitygovernmentlegal
Google
10/21/2026
ServerFarm plans $6.6 billion Clarksville data center with on-site power generation
News Clip4:105NEWS·Clarksville, Johnson County, AR

ServerFarm plans $6.6 billion Clarksville data center with on-site power generation

ServerFarm plans to build a $6.6 billion data center in Clarksville that will generate most of its own electricity using 40 natural gas turbines. The company says it will pay for the power plant and related upgrades, while residents have raised concerns about water use and air pollution; the project could create about 200 permanent jobs.

electricitywaterenvironmentalannouncement
10/19/2026
Data Center and AI Backlash Emerges as a Major Election Issue
News ClipArkansas Times·Pulaski County, AR

Data Center and AI Backlash Emerges as a Major Election Issue

The article argues that opposition to data centers, Flock Safety cameras and artificial intelligence is becoming a significant election issue. A poll of voters in Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District found that about seven in 10 opposed building a data center in their community, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order creating a temporary construction moratorium.

oppositiongovernmentmoratorium
10/16/2026
Proposal for Little Rock data center pause
News Clip1:09THV11·Little Rock, Pulaski County, AR

Proposal for Little Rock data center pause

Little Rock City Director Kathy Webb is proposing a six-month moratorium on new data center development after an earlier 18-month pause failed. The pause would give the city time to study water and wastewater capacity, power demand, emergency services and additional regulations, with the Board of Directors scheduled to vote next Tuesday.

moratoriumgovernmentwaterelectricityzoning
Google
10/14/2026
Little Rock officials to vote on six-month data center moratorium
News ClipArkansas Times·Little Rock, Pulaski County, AR

Little Rock officials to vote on six-month data center moratorium

The Little Rock City Board of Directors will vote next week on a proposed six-month moratorium on new data centers, following an unsuccessful 18-month proposal in August. Pulaski County officials are also reviewing data center regulations amid debate over Google’s proposed Little Rock facility and AVAIO Digital’s major project near Wrightsville.

moratoriumgovernmentelectricity
Google
10/14/2026