Musk's AI data center sparks noise, health and land disputes in Southaven

Krystal Polk's family has tended a 2-acre parcel on the Southaven-Tennessee border for four generations, a plot obtained before people of color could hold land. A recently built power plant, powering Elon Musk's SpaceXAI data centers, now sits across the street, emitting a continuous roar that has driven the family from the property. Over 1,400 locals have signed a petition demanding the plant's shutdown, citing noise and air quality worries.

The NAACP and other organizations filed a lawsuit against xAI and its subsidiary MZX Tech, alleging significant pollutant releases, while the Department of Justice moved to dismiss the case on national-security grounds. SpaceXAI announced plans for sound-reducing walls, yet residents say the installed barrier offers little relief. Additional concerns include health impacts for asthma-prone families and potential acquisition attempts by real-estate firms, complicating the future of the historic land.