Clinton Mayor Scott Maddsion was our guest on this past weeks FYI to address many issues concerning the city of Clinton. One of the biggest topics is the potential location of a Data Center in Clinton. The Mayor addressed that and other issues, if you missed the interview you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
City of Clinton Reaffirms Public Process Following Data Center Moratorium Vote
The City of Clinton would like to thank the many residents who have attended meetings, submitted questions, shared personal concerns, and taken an active interest in the potential QTS data center project.
We understand that residents care deeply about Clinton’s future, their neighborhoods, local resources, and the long-term well-being of the community. Questions involving water use, power demand, noise, lighting, traffic, environmental protections, nearby properties, and accountability are important and deserve careful, fact-based answers.
The City Council’s decision not to approve the proposed temporary moratorium was not an approval of a data center. The moratorium was introduced as an ordinance and failed on its first reading. As a result, that ordinance did not advance and will not return for additional readings. The vote did not approve a site plan, development agreement, construction, public incentives, or any final project. Instead, the City will continue its due diligence, gather additional information, develop appropriate regulations, and involve the public in the process. The Council’s action does not predetermine the ultimate outcome of any future proposal.
The City is actively developing an ordinance that would establish clear and enforceable standards for any future data center proposal. The ordinance is expected to address water use, utilities, noise, lighting, setbacks, buffering, traffic, stormwater, emergency response, environmental compliance, decommissioning, and enforcement.
As part of this process, residents will have the opportunity to review the proposed ordinance, ask questions, share concerns, and provide input before the Council takes final action. To simplify this process and ensure all input is received, the City is also working to establish an online portal where residents can conveniently submit questions and comments. The community will be notified when the portal is ready.
The following statement was provided by QTS and is included exactly as received:
Statement attributable to QTS
QTS remains in the due diligence phase of a potential project in the City of Clinton and has not yet submitted a formal development plan to City staff for review. QTS recognizes that projects like this are important to the community and is approaching this process thoughtfully and responsibly. At this stage, the company is focused on project feasibility and careful evaluation to ensure any future proposal aligns with local development standards, while continuing to listen to community perspectives as part of that process.
QTS will follow the same development review and permitting process required of all projects in the City of Clinton. QTS appreciates the work City staff are undertaking as part of the City’s ongoing planning process to establish clear zoning standards for data centers. QTS plans to submit a development plan that aligns with applicable zoning requirements for the City’s review. Following submission, QTS will proceed through the City’s standard development review and approval processes, which may include negotiation of a Development Agreement, obtaining zoning and building permits, and meeting all other applicable standards.
Community engagement is an important part of the development process. QTS will continue to listen to community input as it evaluates the project and will expand engagement more broadly once a development plan has been submitted, providing a clearer foundation for discussion and feedback. As soon as a plan is available to share, QTS looks forward to engaging openly and directly with residents and stakeholders. Community engagement will continue as the project advances and more information becomes available.
If QTS ultimately decides to proceed, the company will be required to submit project-specific plans and supporting information for review. As a community, we will evaluate those materials, infrastructure impacts, applicable permits, and any necessary agreements through the appropriate public process.
Residents will not be left out of that process. There will be additional opportunities for public review and participation as actual plans and information become available.
Residents seeking company-provided information may visit the QTS Clinton project website QTS Clinton. Information on that website is provided by QTS and does not replace formal project submissions, professional review, or the City’s public approval process.
Clinton is a community that values both responsible growth and the people who call it home. Our goal is to carefully consider the potential opportunities and impacts, require appropriate protections, and make decisions that serve Clinton’s long-term interests.
The City appreciates everyone who has participated respectfully in this discussion. Whether residents support the potential project, oppose it, or simply want more information, their voices matter and will remain an important part of the process.
We will continue to provide updates as we have them.
