Mississippi River Mayors Address Rapid Data Center Expansion and Resource Management
Mayors from communities along the Mississippi River have convened to discuss and evaluate proposals for data centers, which are rapidly expanding across the basin. With over 3,000 active data centers in the U.S. and many more planned, particularly in the South and Midwest, local leaders are increasingly approached by companies seeking to build these facilities. Melisa Logan, Mayor of Blytheville, Arkansas, and co-chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), highlighted that construction of data centers has reached $4.4 billion per month. Over 75% of MRCTI member cities have been approached to host AI infrastructure and are seeking guidance on protecting community resources like water and utility services. In response, MRCTI has introduced two new resources: a 'Wishlist' developed with the Sierra Club to help officials understand risks and benefits, and a framework from the Future Caucus of the Missouri House of Representatives to evaluate fiscal returns, public cost protections, reso...
