Amazon Web Services is expected to expand its central Mississippi footprint by opening a data center at a vacant warehouse in Clinton, and the city’s mayor is looking to squash concerns about the proposed project.
First-term Mayor Will Purdie noted that some construction on the former Milwaukee Tool facility on Industrial Park Drive has begun, with crews working to rehabilitate the building, but did not disclose additional information as final details of the project are still in the negotiations phase.
However, Purdie and other city officials confirmed the project is expected to be the largest economic development in Clinton’s 223-year history. WLBT-TV later reported that Amazon is the company behind the $750 million development and that officials in Clinton and Hinds County have approved a major tax-incentive package for the project. The Jackson-based TV station also reported that the property was transferred to Amazon in February.
With the project in mind, Purdie took to social media on Tuesday to preemptively squash concerns over the presence of a data center in the region. Acknowledging that there is “substantial and understandable public interest” in the city’s latest major development, the mayor looked to put to bed any unrest over possible ramifications a data center would pose.
In Mississippi, public concern has largely surrounded the $20 billion development by Elon Musk-owned xAI in Southaven, along with the $6 billion AVAIO data center project in Brandon, due to loud noises and air pollution allegedly linked to the facilities. Purdie, though, said the development in Clinton is “fundamentally different.”
The data center in Southaven, like a separate Amazon Web Services project in Madison County, requires an additional power source beyond what’s available in the current infrastructure, meaning new plants are necessary. In Southaven, a temporary plant will use loud gas turbines to generate electricity. Meanwhile, the project in Clinton is expected to be linked to Entergy Mississippi’s grid with no disruptions.
“Many of the concerns seem to stem from the recent news coverage regarding the xAi project in Southaven, MS, and the associated noise and air pollution complaints. The project proposed in Clinton is fundamentally different,” Purdie wrote. “The Southaven project involves a new, temporary power plant installed using dozens of gas turbines for generating electricity. As we understand it, these turbines run constantly and are responsible for those noise and air concerns.”
“The proposed Clinton project does not involve a power plant and will use power supplied by Entergy through the existing power grid, negating the concerns seen in Southaven. The proposed location is deep within an established industrial area, well removed from residential neighborhoods. This project would be subject to the same standards and expectations as the other industrial and manufacturing operations currently operating in the industrial park.”
Other concerns are financial, with residents fearing that their power bills will increase. Officials at Entergy Mississippi have assured the public that rates will not go up and that the owners of the data centers will be paying their fair share for electricity, along with major grid upgrades helping maintain current billing. Lawmakers in Mississippi have also established guardrails to protect citizens from utility rates being drastically affected by these types of projects.
“The Legislature has enacted regulations protecting rate payers from bearing costs associated with this type of project. With respect to other utilities, this project will use no potable water for cooling purposes,” Purdie added. “In operation, the only potable water consumption will be to support standard office administration, ie, restrooms and breakrooms.”
The benefits of the data center, per Purdie, far outweigh any possible negative side effects. The mayor is confident that the development will be a major revenue source for Clinton, injecting millions of dollars into the city’s budget and the local school district’s coffers.
“While many of the concerns raised are certainly understandable, particularly in light of situations in other places, please rest assured that the top priority of everyone in city government is, and always will be, our citizens,” Purdie said. “Most residents, when assessing the extensive benefit to our city and schools, will recognize this project as a massive economic development victory which will propel Clinton into our next prosperous chapter.”
The Mississippi Development Authority will have to sign off on the data center plan before it comes to fruition. Officials with the agency have not yet confirmed whether or not they have greenlit the project.