Rankin Data Center Tensions Exposed
Rankin supervisor casts lone dissenting vote on data-center power resolution
A Rankin County supervisor broke with the rest of the board to oppose a resolution backing on-site power generation for industrial users, arguing the arrangement favors Brandon over other municipalities.
At the Rankin County Board of Supervisors' regular meeting Nov. 3, the supervisor, identified in meeting audio only as "Jay," voted against the measure after telling colleagues the city of Brandon stood to benefit while other towns in the county absorbed the downsides. "I'm definitely not happy with Brandon getting all the home power, all the good stuff, and turning away all the bad stuff," he said. "This is wrong. I am against this." The resolution passed despite his objection.
The vote reflects a board split over how costs tied to serving large industrial power users, chiefly data centers, are distributed among Rankin County's municipalities. Such disagreements over money and industrial siting policy are likely to draw continued attention as more data-center projects move into the county, raising questions about which communities shoulder the infrastructure and which reap the economic gains.
The supervisor's full name, district and the exact vote tally were not independently confirmed.