The data center revolution in Mississippi is continuing, this time with a company eyeing Rankin County as the new home for a multi-billion-dollar investment.
Gov. Tate Reeves announced on Tuesday that AVAIO Digital, a Connecticut-based developer and operator of sustainable data centers, has announced a new $6 billion data center campus at the East Metropolitan Center Business and Industrial Park in Brandon. AVAIO’s economic development investment currently ranks No. 3 in state history, following projects from Amazon Web Services in Madison County and Compass Datacenters in Meridian.
The company’s new Brandon data center campus, named AVAIO Digital Taurus, will provide new workforce development opportunities in the state while also offering a variety of jobs for the Jackson metro area’s workforce. These include at least 60 direct, high-tech jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs ranging from construction to other related industries.
“Today is another historic day for Mississippi. AVAIO Digital’s $6 billion investment is the third largest in our state’s history and a great vote of confidence in our people, our communities, and our ability to get companies up and running faster,” Reeves stated.
“This project will not only transform Rankin County and the Metro Jackson region, it will transform our economic landscape and lead to even more high-tech leaders choosing Mississippi. We are competing – and winning – on the global stage, and our state is open for business and ready to lead. The Mississippi Momentum is strong, and this is our time!”
The campus, according to a press release, will feature high-speed, low-latency connectivity options, including direct access to multiple long-haul fiber routes nearby that link seamlessly to major data center hubs such as Dallas and Atlanta. The design features details such as water-efficient cooling, rainwater capture, and rooftop solar and cooling system economization to minimize power demands.
Once fully equipped, the facility will support computer servers, networking, and data storage technologies that power cloud computing and artificial intelligence applications. Entergy Mississippi will provide reliable power for the project.
“The Greater Jackson area is poised to become a new hub for cloud computing and AI development, and we are delighted to partner with the city of Brandon to make a significant investment in expanding the region’s digital and energy infrastructure,” AVAIO Digital CEO Mark McComiskey said. “Mississippi provides a unique opportunity for hyperscalers to rapidly expand their digital presence in close proximity to established data center markets in a highly sustainable way.”
The Mississippi Development Authority approved AVAIO Digital Taurus for the state’s Data Center Enterprises tax exemption. The state agency also offered financial assistance via the Site Development Grant program to help develop the East Metropolitan Business and Industrial Park. Rankin County and the city of Brandon are assisting with the project as well.
AVAIO Digital expects the data center complex’s construction to be complete during the first half of 2027.
