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Memphis TN Politics & Government · Politics of Data

Data Center: News, Information & Resource Center for Memphis TN

Who decides where data centers go near Memphis — zoning and planning, the local elected board, the county, the state utility commission, and environmental permits — plus what is on file and reporting from across the HERE network.

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Politics of Data

Who Decides on Data Centers Near Memphis

DATA CENTER: NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCE CENTER FOR MEMPHIS

HERE Memphis has been following data-center decisions that reach Memphis — the stories are below, along with every official body that would have a say.

A data center in or near Memphis would first need local land-use approval through City of Memphis, and Shelby County weighs in on land outside city limits and on tax incentives. Power would come through Memphis Light, Gas and Water, which buys its electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the federal agency that decides whether it can serve very large new loads. Air and water permits come from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

National context: Federal energy researchers estimate data centers used about 4.4% of all U.S. electricity in 2023 and could use 6.7% to 12% by 2028, which is why utility commissions, local boards, and voters are now central to where these campuses land. U.S. Department of Energy report

What’s on file near Memphis

  • On file so farNo local data-center campus vote is on file for Memphis yet; here is HERE Memphis's reporting so far.

HERE Memphis data center coverage

Who decides: zoning, councils, utility regulators & permits

Zoning & Planning

Local Elected Body

County

State Utility Regulator

Electric Utility

Environmental, Water & Air Permits

From across the HERE network

HERE Memphis · Politics of Data Brief
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A plain-language briefing on who decides, what the power contracts mean for your bill, and which communities near Memphis are next. Leave your email and HERE Memphis will send it as soon as it is published.

Building data centers, or organizing around them? Use the same form to get more information or to get your message out to Memphis readers.

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Updated weekly. Last updated Nov 6, 2026.

Questions & Answers

Data Centers Near Memphis: FAQ

Who approves a data center rezoning near Memphis?

Rezonings and site plans go through local land-use officials: in Memphis that is City of Memphis, Memphis City Council, with Shelby County handling land outside city limits and county tax incentives. Planning commissions hold public hearings and recommend; the elected board casts the final vote.

Who approves the power supply for a data center near Memphis?

Local power companies in the Tennessee Valley buy electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority, which decides whether it can serve very large new loads. The Tennessee Public Utility Commission regulates investor-owned utilities in the state.

Which Tennessee agency issues environmental permits for a data center?

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issues the air, water, and wastewater permits a large facility needs, including permits for backup generators.

How can a Memphis resident weigh in on a data center?

Speak or submit written comments at planning commission and council or board meetings, where agendas are posted in advance, and file public comments in utility cases at the state commission. The official links on this page go straight to those bodies.

What data center decisions are on file near Memphis?

HERE Memphis has published recent reporting on data-center decisions affecting the area, linked on this page, including: Memphis City Council Set to Vote on Data Center Moratorium; Memphis Council Delays Data Center Moratorium Vote Again; Taylor and Pearson Split on Crime, Data Centers in 9th District.

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