Little Rock confronts bipartisan opposition to two massive datacenter projects

Two hyperscale datacenter proposals have ignited bipartisan pushback near Little Rock. Google aims to construct a 1.43 million-square-foot, $1 billion center on a 384-acre port parcel, while Avaio plans a $6 billion facility on a marshy forest tract in unincorporated Pulaski County. A 2023 Arkansas law bars cities from outright bans, yet local authorities retain broad powers to regulate water, electricity, noise and setbacks.

Mayor Frank Scott Jr., who is running for another term, argues the projects threaten water security and could lift electricity rates for residents. Community members near the Avaio site, many of whom are Black or immigrant landowners, worry about the projected 150 MW power draw—potentially a gigawatt later—and up to 4 million gallons of water daily, with little expectation of local hiring. The Pulaski County quorum court recently declined a proposed one-year moratorium and an exemption for Avaio, prompting further negotiations on how to limit the developments within state constraints.