Alabama

State Rep. Phillip Rigsby outlined three conditions he believes data centers should meet to operate in Alabama: local community approval, self-sufficiency without burdening ratepayers, and no tax abatements.

1819 News · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlyalabamas42.com · Alabama

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

Democrat Phillip Ensler and Republican John Wahl debated in Huntsville Wednesday, clashing over taxes, data centers, education and residency requirements. Both backed removing the 2% state sales tax on groceries, though they differed on lottery expansion, school vouchers and data center regulation.

Decatur Daily · Madison Co., AL

A judge dismissed a shell company from a lawsuit over a Birmingham data center construction project Wednesday, finding it couldn't be held legally responsible for zoning decisions or construction nuisances. The judge also dismissed three of eight counts against the remaining defendants while keeping residents' primary challenges to the project's permits alive for trial in March.

WBHM · Jefferson Co., AL

State Rep. Phillip Ensler, a Democrat, and former Republican Party Chairman John Wahl debated data centers and utility rates in Alabama's first major-party statewide debate since 2010. Ensler proposed a moratorium on new data center construction, citing resident concerns about transparency and rising electricity prices, while Wahl called data centers "a necessary evil" that must be implemented responsibly.

Inside Climate News · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama

Former Mobile City Council member William Carroll was arrested Wednesday on two counts of second-degree making terrorist threats after allegedly making inappropriate and threatening comments toward employees at a Hooters on Oct. 14. According to authorities, Carroll told employees he rapes little girls and kills people, causing one employee to fear for her safety.

WBRC · Mobile Co., AL

Minnesota has about a dozen proposed mega-scale data centers, with only Meta's Rosemount facility under construction. State rules require large electricity customers like data centers to pay all attributable utility costs and repealed exemptions on their electricity use effective 2025.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder · Lowndes Co., AL

Gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones discussed rising costs and community concerns during a radio interview, addressing issues including utility rates, grocery taxes, minimum wage, healthcare access, and economic development. Jones advocated for reviewing electricity rates, eliminating the state grocery tax, expanding Medicaid, and questioned whether data center expansion would provide adequate long-term employment.

Tuscaloosa Thread · Alabama

Headline onlyAL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Data center development in Alabama has generated billions in private investment and created jobs in communities including Huntsville, Jackson County, and Montgomery, with benefits extending to infrastructure improvements, tax revenue for schools, and skilled employment opportunities. The article argues data centers represent economic opportunity similar to previous automotive and aerospace industry investments in the state.

Alabama Political Reporter · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlyMarketplace.org · Alabama

Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Phillip Ensler and Republican nominee John Wahl debated education, affordability and data centers Wednesday night in Huntsville, likely the only debate among state office candidates this election cycle. The candidates disagreed on expanding Medicaid, the CHOOSE Act voucher program, and whether the governor and lieutenant governor should run as a ticket.

Alabama Reflector · Madison Co., AL

Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville released a policy plan addressing data centers, tax reduction, education expansion and government audits, though implementing many proposals may face fiscal constraints and require legislative approval in a state where the governor has limited power relative to the Legislature.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

Two major Alabama gubernatorial candidates—Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Tommy Tuberville—are debating data centers ahead of next week's election, with Jones questioning Tuberville's stock dealings in Alibaba while Tuberville defends the projects. According to the Cleanview website, Alabama has thirteen data centers operating and fifteen more planned, though concerns about water usage and utility rates persist despite recent legislation requiring large facilities to sign energy contracts with state regulators.

APR | Alabama Public Radio · Tuscaloosa Co., AL · also at APR | Alabama Public Radio

State Senator Sam Givhan served as closing attorney for the city of Huntsville in five property sales totaling roughly 455 acres to Meta Platforms between 2018 and 2022, according to court records. Givhan has since publicly opposed further data center developments in the Tennessee Valley.

Alabama Political Reporter · Madison Co., AL

Helix Electric, a non-union San Diego contractor, broke ground on a $45.3 million fabrication campus in Hollywood, Alabama after evaluating sites in Tennessee and Georgia. The facility will manufacture electrical components and create 160 jobs in its first phase.

Yellowhammer News · Jackson Co. (AL), AL

A lawsuit proceeded against Lowndes County Commission over allegations it violated the Open Meetings Act by approving a data center project outside the official agenda. The hearing was continued to December 2 to allow both sides additional time to prepare evidence and expert witnesses.

WSFA · Lowndes Co., AL

QTS Datacenter Project Marvel in Bessemer is expected to take five to seven years to complete and generate over $1 billion in tax revenue over 20 years, according to company estimates. The project is not receiving local, county, or state incentives and could support approximately 5,000 construction jobs at peak activity.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL · also at WBMA

Irondale is developing an ordinance to regulate data centers as a precaution, according to Mayor James D. Stewart Jr., who emphasized the city is not actively recruiting such facilities. The proposed regulations address power and water usage, noise protections, and require developers to present plans to council before adoption, with a vote scheduled for December 15.

WBRC · Alabama

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

Trinity's Town Council delayed a vote Monday on a proposal to rezone nearly 184 acres for light and heavy industrial use after more than 50 residents spoke against the plan, citing concerns about impacts to nearby neighborhoods. The council will revisit the rezoning request at its November 9 meeting.

WAFF · Alabama

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlyAL.com · Madison Co., AL

Three central Alabama restaurants—Locanda Rosato, Austin Whereabouts in Bessemer, and Little Betty Steak Bar in Mountain Brook—have been recognized by the Michelin Guide, which announced the additions Wednesday. Locanda Rosato, which opened nine months ago, specializes in slow-cooked preparations.

WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

JoCo Report · Dallas Co., AL

Irondale is developing a zoning ordinance to regulate potential data center operations despite no current proposals, establishing a conditional-use approval process requiring City Council review before any such development could proceed. The proposal addresses community concerns while the city pursues broader economic development goals.

WBMA · Alabama · also at WBMA

A lawsuit filed Sunday claims the Lowndes County Commission violated the Alabama Open Meetings Act when it approved Project Red Clay, a 2,200-acre data center that would be Alabama's largest, and authorized a $1.15 billion tax break for the facility.

Black Belt News Network · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyGovTech · Jefferson Co., AL