Little Rock and Pulaski County haven’t paused approvals of data centers — despite months of trying — even as they’ve faced community pushback over two major facilities planned in the area. But across Arkansas, other cities and counties aren’t having the same problem.
Independence County’s quorum court unanimously passed a five-year moratorium on Monday, the latest — and longest — adopted in the state. Russellville passed a six-month pause on approving the facilities last month. Union and Carroll counties each passed a one-year pause in June.
“We would not be able to support the needs of a data center, nor would we want to,” Independence County Justice of the Peace Brad Covington, a Republican, told the Advocate. “It’s not something that the citizens want or need, and it doesn’t do anything for the citizens of Independence County.”…