The Wynne City Council took action on Tuesday, adopting Ordinance 926 that imposes a one‑year moratorium on the development of new data centers inside the city’s boundaries. Council members said the pause will give the municipality time to evaluate how such facilities could affect local infrastructure, utilities, zoning and the quality of life for residents.
Why the moratorium was proposed
Alderman Jason Nichols explained that the goal is simply to “have time to prepare anything—our infrastructure, utilities, any usage, zoning.” He added that the council wants to consider potential impacts on noise, location and, most importantly, the city’s water supply. “We also want to make sure that any large projects that are coming in are a good fit for our community,” Nichols said. “What we wouldn’t want to do is expend our utilities or our water supply.”
Resident concerns
Local resident Brittany Hammit voiced strong support for the moratorium, stating, “I don’t think we should have data centers.” Hammit expressed worries about water consumption and environmental effects, noting, “They take up too much water. It’s a detriment to the environment, to the animals around, to the wildlife.” While she acknowledged that data centers are not “the worst thing in the world,” she reiterated that Wynne is not the right place for them.
What the moratorium means
The ordinance is temporary; it will remain in effect for twelve months unless the council votes to extend it. During that period, any developer seeking to build a data center must submit detailed plans that address infrastructure capacity, water usage, zoning compliance and community impact. The council will review those proposals before deciding whether to lift the pause.
Looking ahead
City officials say the moratorium is a proactive step to protect Wynne’s resources and ensure future growth aligns with the town’s values and needs. By taking a measured approach, the council hopes to avoid overtaxing utilities and to preserve the environment that residents cherish.
Wynne’s leadership plans to hold a public hearing later this year to gather additional input from citizens and stakeholders before any further decisions are made.
Original reporting: Action News 5 WMC (Gray) — read the source article.
