Residents react as construction moves forward on xAI's Southaven data center
In Olive Branch, DeSoto County (MS), Olive Branch City Council and local residents debated municipal data center siting, utility infrastructure load, water consumption, and zoning rules during the June 15, 2026 session.
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Residents react as construction moves forward on xAI's Southaven data center
Olive Branch City Council · June 15, 2026
Timestamped Speaker & Testimony Ledger
3 verified timestamped clips extracted chronologically from the closed caption record. Select any clip to play that exact window in the master player or copy a canonical clip link.
- Clip 1 · 0:28 Olive Branch City Council Officials and Speakers Elected Official Questioning auto captions, uncheckedZoning Power & Grid Water
Officials and speakers in Olive Branch, MS address municipal data center zoning, grid capacity, and community impacts.
"He spoke with residents who say they are already feeling the impact. Robert Tipton Jr. tells me he lives about 6 miles away from the XAI facility here in South Haven. He tells me he's worried about the potential health risk to children and seniors could increase if the community doesn't speak out. Records show XAI South Haven facility recently filed an application for 41 natural gas turbines. According to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality,"
- Clip 2 · 1:00 Resident public comment Resident Public Comment auto captions, unchecked
Community members and local officials in Olive Branch, MS weigh water supply, electricity rates, and neighborhood buffer rules.
"While the EPA does not approve or operate the plant, it does enforce Federal Clean Air Act standards and can intervene if violations occur, Shannon Sanzma, a South Haven. The resident says she has observed what she believes -- to be at least 18 turbines operating since -- August. There's at least 18 turbines that started running in August, um, and although I was also assured they would not run 24/7, many are running 16 to 24 hours a day. Sam Sma, who works in healthcare,"
- Clip 3 · 1:25 Olive Branch City Council Member Elected Official Questioning auto captions, uncheckedZoning Power & Grid Water
Olive Branch City Council members deliberate on municipal siting standards, utility capacity, and the recorded ordinance action.
"Sam Sma, who works in healthcare, spoke at a South Haven City council meeting earlier this month. She says she's concerned about potential long term impact on young residents. These turbines are operating within 2 miles of more than 10 different schools with children whose lungs are still developing. South Haven Mayor Darren Musselwhite says he would not support any project that puts residents' lives in jeopardy. I would not be an advocate for anything that was going to jeopardize the health of the people. The mayor claims the project is a significant economic benefit to the county."
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Related Records on Data Center Record
Jurisdiction & Local Rules
Linked Data Center Projects (2)
- SpaceXAI Southaven Data Center (Fifth Location) · Southaven
- xAI Southaven turbine site · Southaven
