Mississippi’s three largest economic development projects are data centers. 

Data centers promise tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue, new jobs and investment in energy infrastructure. A planned Brandon data center alone is expected to bring in over $20 million a year in taxes.

But not everyone is thrilled. 

In my latest story on the Brandon data center, I talked with Brandon residents and Rankin’s economic development association about the development. Residents raised concerns about electricity and water usage, air pollution from electricity demands, potential noise pollution and environmental impacts.

In other communities across the nation and globe where data centers are being built, residents are raising similar concerns. They want to know what these projects mean for their health, the environment and their pocketbooks. But artificial intelligence continues to grow. The investment bank UBS projects that AI spending will reach $500 billion in 2026. 

Professor Ahmed Saeed of Georgia Tech says data centers are not going away. He thinks the way forward is to ensure they’re properly regulated and investing in the community.

“ Having clarity on the impact of data centers within the community where they’re building is important,” said Saeed. “The other side of this is also making sure that there is investment into the community.”

We received a lot of emails in response about Brandon’s new data center. We’re reprinting one of the comments we received, with permission from the author:

“I am deeply concerned about the new data center projected for construction in Brandon, Mississippi. I believe this is a terrible idea and should be reconsidered by our state leaders. Mississippi prides itself on outdoor recreation and agriculture, yet this very decision will impact the land and natural resources in such a harmful way. Our water and energy will surely suffer through egregious water and electricity consumption. We need businesses to move into cities who will contribute to the local community and local economy, not filter resources away from people in that community,” wrote Miranda Loper, MLIS.

You can reach me at marketplace@mississippitoday.org to share your thoughts.

Economic recovery 20 years after Katrina

The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina last week brought some reports on economic recovery and development since the deadly and destructive storm, including:

• A Pass Christian businessman recounted building a business after Katrina.
• Amtrak reopened service along the Gulf Coast after 20 years. Mississippi Public Broadcasting wrote about three towns along the track and how they’ve rebuilt.  
• Jamie Miller, president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council gave an update on the Coast’s recovery.

Bluesky goes black in MS, the economic potential of tourism and other news:

• The social media platform, Bluesky, blocked access for Mississippi users. The company cited Mississippi’s age verification law.
• Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia announced a joint economic development initiative to bolster advanced auto manufacturing. It will bring together industry, academia and government to grow innovation and investment. 
• “If we are serious about tackling brain drain, we must stop seeing tourism as ‘just’ a leisure industry, but rather a strategic tool for workforce retention, talent attraction and community revitalization,” wrote Danielle Morgan, executive director of the Mississippi Tourism Association. In the latest installment of our series on brain drain, Morgan looks at how tourism is an important part of the state’s economic growth. 
• Hood Industries announced it is investing $245 million in its Wayne County sawmill.