A petition calling for transparency and environmental safeguards before construction is complete on a $6 billion data center in Rankin County has gathered nearly 1,000 signatures, reflecting growing community unease about the massive project’s potential impact on local resources and utility costs.
The project, known as the AVAIO Digital’s Taurus campus, is being developed by the Connecticut-based data center developer on hundreds of acres at the East Metropolitan Center Business and Industrial Park in Brandon. State officials have hailed the projects as one of the largest private investments in Mississippi history, promising 60 permanent jobs, increased tax revenue, and sustainable design features such as water-efficient cooling and rooftop solar panels.
However, residents behind the petition say they are asking for clear, enforceable guarantees that the project will not lead to higher bills or environmental harm. The online petition, addressed to the Rankin County Board of Supervisors, asks for written confirmation that the facility “will not result in any increase in utility bills or cause air or water pollution.”
If such assurances cannot be made, the petition urges county leaders to “immediately stop the planned construction.”
“I’m deeply concerned about the data centers coming to Mississippi,” resident Bailey Henry said. “These centers have been known to deplete the water and skyrocket utility bills for small customers. I’m even more concerned about the secrecy surrounding this process. If this is such a great development for Mississippi, then why have Mississippians been kept in the dark on this?”
Henry said she wants documented proof that families in Rankin County will not face higher utility costs or limited access to clean water as a result of the development.
“Anyone in Mississippi should be aware of the risks and dangers these centers bring with them,” Henry said. “We are not being told the full story.”
The petition also references other U.S. communities that have experienced sharp increases in electricity usage and reports of water contamination following similar data center developments. In Virginia, local officials have expressed concerns about the power demand and noise from the world’s largest cluster of data centers, according to The Washington Post. Meanwhile, the Texas Tribune has reported that data centers in Texas have strained local water systems and power grids during periods of drought and extreme heat.
In Memphis, similar data center developments by xAI — the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk — have prompted complaints of increased air pollution, high-capacity gas turbines, and questions over transparency in low-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods, according to TIME.
“Everyone needs to call their local representatives and make their voices and concerns heard,” Henry said. “This will change Mississippi forever, and I fear it won’t be for the better.”
While AVAIO Digital has promoted its commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency through its website, residents argue that the company’s promises are not enough without public accountability.
Entergy Mississippi recently announced an initiative aimed at improving that state’s power grid while keeping rates low by tying grid improvements to new economic development projects.
When Amazon Web Services announced a multi-billion-dollar data center project in Madison County earlier this year, Entergy Mississippi CEO Haley Fisakerly publicly assured customers that rates would not increase as a result of that project.
While community members are raising concerns, Gov. Tate Reeves, a native of Rankin County, appears undeterred by concerns surrounding the AVAIO data center. In a statement, the Republican’s office defended the state’s ongoing investment in data centers, calling them a major driver of Mississippi’s economic growth.
“Under Governor Reeves’ leadership, Mississippi is breaking economic development records after record,” said Cory Custer, Reeves’ deputy chief of staff. “We’re proud that data centers represent approximately $26 billion in new private sector investment in the state. They’re creating thousands of high-paying jobs for Mississippians, and setting us up for even more historic success. Our state reviews data center projects on a case-by-case basis to ensure Mississippi has the resources needed to sustain them.”
Construction on the AVAIO Digital Taurus site is underway with the facility set to be ready for occupancy by the first half of 2027. Until then, and even after if it comes down to it, residents say they will continue urging county officials to ensure the development prioritizes the safety, affordability, and well-being of the Rankin County community.
Members of the Rankin County Board of Supervisors did not respond to inquiries from SuperTalk Mississippi News by the time of publication.
