The Clarksdale Board of Commissioners voted Monday night to rezone a 648-acre site for a potential data center, with a list of conditions for any developer. Mayor Orlando Paden emphasized that the vote was not an approval of the project but the beginning of discussions.
Only the mayor and two board members, Jimmy Harris and Eddie Earl, were present during the meeting. Commissioners Ray Sykes and Linda Downing were absent. City officials confirmed that discussions with a data center developer have taken place, but no agreements have been signed, and the project remains uncertain.
The proposed conditions include a $5 million impact fee paid prior to construction, the developer covering necessary public utility improvements, and an additional 1,000-foot setback from residential areas. These stipulations were read aloud during the meeting.
Two weeks prior, the board voted to reconsider the rezoning and associated conditions amid a confusing meeting that involved an unintended call for an executive session. The recent meeting followed a town hall where residents expressed mixed opinions about the project, citing potential tax revenue benefits and concerns about negative impacts near residential zones.
In advance of Monday’s hearing, the city published an FAQ addressing community questions and a presentation titled “Understanding Hyperscale Data Centers,” highlighting benefits such as increased tax revenue, job creation, and funding for public projects. A slide projecting the first-year property tax revenue from a data center estimated $15 million. Last year, Clarksdale’s total general fund revenue was $9.2 million.
Many residents voiced opposition during the public comment period, calling for greater transparency and a formal public hearing. Paden assured the public that the city would keep residents informed and insisted that any future data center application include detailed plans for review.
