This petition demands documented guarantees from the representatives of Rankin County assuring that the construction and operation of the AVAIO Data Center will NOT:

1. Result in any increase in utility bills (water and electric) as a result of the construction and operation of the Data Center; NOR
2. Result in air or water pollution as a result of the Data Center's construction and operation.

If our representatives cannot guarantee the above, then this petition demands they immediately stop the planned construction of the AVAIO Data Center.

While we all want to bring jobs and tax revenue to Rankin County, we should not do so at the detriment of those that live here. Similar data centers have been built across the country, with the affected communities seeing a dramatic increase in their water and electric bills. Furthermore, some communities even faced significant air and water pollution as a result. Towns located near these data centers have seen their water turn brown and others have stated their air became "unbreathable," as asthma rates increased. While the estimated property taxes the Rankin Data Center would contribute would obviously be welcome, would trading our health while increasing our monthly bills be worth that investment? 

Our petition asks our local representatives to guarantee us that Rankin County will be protected from these significant risks. When asked if the Data Center poses such risks, it is their obligation as leaders to be able to definitively answer that question. It is their job as leaders to perform the due diligence required to protect Rankin County and the people that live here.