Dallas-based Compass Datacenters, a leading multinational data center developer, is bringing its next major hyperscale data center campus to Meridian, Mississippi. This massive development will consist of eight data centers, constructed over an eight-year period, and is expected to have a transformative impact on the local economy and infrastructure.
Upon completion, Compass Datacenters’ campus will represent a staggering $10 billion investment, including expenditures by future tenants on information technology equipment. The project will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, offering significant economic benefits to the region.
Compass Datacenters specializes in building single-tenant hyperscale data center campuses. These facilities are engineered to last more than 100 years, supporting economies of scale and providing long-term stability for local businesses and job markets.
Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is playing a key role by providing assistance for site preparation and offering certification to Compass Datacenters as a data center operator. This certification qualifies the company for significant financial incentives, including a 10-year exemption from state income and franchise taxes, as well as sales and use tax exemptions on construction materials, equipment, and software and hardware replacements. Additional support is being provided by the city of Meridian, Lauderdale County, and Mississippi Power Company, which will supply approximately 500 megawatts of power to the facility.
Governor Tate Reeves expressed his excitement about the development, saying, “This $10 billion megadeal is huge for Lauderdale County and the entire state as we continue an impressive economic development streak that is unprecedented in Mississippi. Through our pro-business policies and favorable business environment, we continue to establish our state as an ideal location for high-tech developments by providing the resources needed for innovation and growth. I thank the Compass Datacenters team for its well-placed confidence in our people and in our business climate, which will provide ample opportunities for the company and the residents of Meridian and Lauderdale County now and for generations to come.”
Bill Cork, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, highlighted the significance of the project: “Compass Datacenters’ multi-billion investment in Meridian marks yet another monumental economic development win for Mississippi, and it is the result of many factors that position our state as a hub for these high-tech projects. Speed to market, the availability of a shovel-ready site in Meridian I-20/59 Industrial Park and the capabilities of Mississippi Power were key to Compass Datacenters choosing Lauderdale County. The economic development team in Mississippi is second to none, and we are excited to continue bringing great job opportunities to the citizens of our great state.”
AJ Byers, President and Chief Development Officer of Compass Datacenters, emphasized the collaborative effort that made the project possible, stating, “We are looking forward to building our next campus in Meridian. We appreciate the time and effort Mississippi Development Authority, East Mississippi Business Development Corporation and Mississippi Power have invested with us to bring this project to fruition and look forward to bringing good-paying jobs and economic benefits to the region for decades to come.”
Data centers are becoming an essential part of modern infrastructure, akin to utilities such as power and water. These large-scale facilities house and power countless computer servers, which enable a wide range of online applications and services, including business operations, e-commerce, entertainment streaming, email, and digital file storage.
Mississippi Power Company, a crucial partner in this initiative, is providing the energy infrastructure required to support such a large-scale operation. Anthony Wilson, President and CEO of Mississippi Power, remarked, “Mississippi Power has been an integral part of the economic development effort to bring more jobs and industries to our state for nearly a century. Mississippi Power has the generating power to support a growing Mississippi while maintaining reliable service for our customers. Our company is proud to be a part of the strategic team that delivered this significant investment to East Mississippi.”
To learn more about Compass Datacenters and its ongoing projects, visit compassdatacenters.com.