Judge questions Jackson officials on Lake Hico data center discussions

U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate questioned Jackson officials Monday about reports of discussions regarding a data center at Lake Hico, a historically significant site in the city. The judge called a status conference to ensure any plans consider the city’s water and sewer system improvements, according to court records.

Jackson Mayor John Horhn, testifying as a witness, said discussions about the property are premature. He explained that a developer who recently leased the 16th Section land, owned by Jackson Public Schools, plans to explore options over the next three years, including residential and industrial uses.

Three days prior, the Jackson City Council approved Mississippi’s first moratorium on new data centers, set to begin in August and last six months. Horhn noted that the city is developing new rules to address concerns over noise, water use, and energy consumption during this period.

Horhn acknowledged the significance of Lake Hico, which historically served as a recreation site before being abandoned in favor of the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The property was later used by Entergy as a cooling pond for a power plant, but the lake has been drained since 2020 as part of development plans.

Jackson City Attorney Drew Martin said the city would consult with JXN Water, the third-party manager of water and sewer systems, regarding new regulations for data centers. He also stated that the city has received no proposals or applications for constructing a data center at Lake Hico.

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