Wynne City Council approves one-year moratorium on new data centers

WYNNE, Ark. (KAIT) — The Wynne City Council passed an ordinance that places a one-year moratorium on new data centers.

City leaders said they want more time to prepare for the possibility of a data center coming to the city.

The council passed Ordinance 926 this week. It places a one-year moratorium on new data centers within city limits.

Alderman Jason Nichols said the goal is “just so that we have time to prepare anything, our infrastructure, utilities, any usage, zoning.”

Nichols said the city also wants to consider how a project could affect residents, including “noise-wise or location-wise.”

“We also want to make sure that any large projects that are coming in, that they’re a good fit for our community,” Nichols said. “And what we wouldn’t want to do is expend our utilities or our water supply.”

Wynne resident Brittany Hammit said she supports the moratorium.

“I don’t think we should have data centers,” Hammit said.

Hammit said she is concerned about water use and the environment.

“I think that they take up too much water,” she said. “I think that it’s a detriment to the environment, to the animals around, to the wildlife.”

The moratorium is temporary. Hammit said she would rather see something else come to Wynne.

“I don’t think that data centers are totally the worst thing in the world, but I just don’t think that they should be here,” Hammit said.

The moratorium is set to last one year. The council will need to take action if it wants to extend it.

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