SerpApi.Org
As the debate over data centers grows louder in Mississippi and the rest of the country, the Jackson City Council has decided to push pause on the issue.
Council members approved an 183-day moratorium to study how data centers will fit into the city’s future after residents voiced concerns about noise, water consumption and pollution at proposed sites.
Vernon Hartley, a member of the Jackson City Council, said he does not believe Jackson is prepared for what the industry will bring to the city but still voted against the moratorium.
"We need engineers or a scientist or a consulting firm working with our legal department and zoning to make sure we protect our citizens. To me, that's the most important thing, us actually going after someone that can evaluate," Hartley noted.
Hartley added Jackson does not have the infrastructure or the funding needed to ensure residents are not negatively affected by data centers but admitted the city needs money.
New Jersey-based Saxum Investment Group had plans to place a facility on 190 acres of land near Interstate 220 and Forest Avenue. The investment group has now postponed its plans.
Following the vote, Gov. Tate Reeves said he did not think the moratorium was smart. Reeves has used social media to criticize other cities for implementing similar bans.
Hartley stressed he is more concerned about making decisions to benefit constituents.
"That may cause some type of folks from the business world to look at us a certain way, and we need to get down to the fact of the matter is we're a major city here with eyes looking all over us, and we need to be making good decisions," Hartley added.
Council members can amend the length of the moratorium at any time.
