MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis is currently home to 12 data centers, including two large XAI campuses and several smaller ones.
Tuesday, an ordinance sponsored by Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington, Councilmembers Jerri Green, Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, and JB Smiley Jr. was introduced for first reading.
“Let me be clear. I’m not anti-business, but I am pro-resident. Right now, aata centers are asking for massive amounts of water, power, and land,” Swearengen-Washington told the audience in committee.
The ordinance asks for a 12-month pause on new data centers while they put together a re-assess current zoning laws in the city and perform several studies on utility and land usage.
The text says the City of Memphis can continue to accept applications but “Shall not process, schedule, hear, approve, or issue any approval” for data centers or high-density computing facilities.
It also lists special use permits, rezoning applications, and more.
FOX13 heard from several Memphis stakeholders who are not on board with the pause.
Tuesday, the Greater Memphis issued a statement asking for a ‘no’ vote, saying in part, “Across the country, communities are closing their doors to data centers, often because they lack the power infrastructure, water capacity, or logistical footprint to support them. Memphis has all three.”
The Memphis Area Minority Contractors Association (MAMCA) is calling for agencies to complete a study before passing an ordinance. The organization writes in part, “We support thoughtful planning and believe that major development projects should benefit our entire community. At the same time, we believe that a moratorium should not be imposed before stakeholders have had an opportunity to fully evaluate both the challenges and opportunities associated with the data center industry.”
This is the first reading. For the ordinance to become law, it needs to be read and approved in three readings.
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