Compass Datacenters project generates $10 billion investment in Lauderdale County
Jan 9, 2025 – Dallas-based Compass Datacenters, a multinational data center developer, is locating its next hyperscale data center campus in Meridian. The campus will consist of eight data centers that will be constructed over an eight-year period.
“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,” said Gov. Tate Reeves. “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.”
Upon occupancy, Compass Datacenters’ campus will represent an investment of $10 billion, including future tenants’ information technology equipment. The campus also will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
“We are looking forward to building our next campus in Meridian,” AJ Byers, President and Chief Development Officer, Compass Datacenters said. “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.”
Compass Datacenters builds single-tenant, hyperscale data center campuses. The large-scale campuses built by Compass are designed to last for more than 100 years and create economies of scale to support local businesses and jobs.
Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for site preparation. MDA also will certify Compass Datacenters as a data center operator, which will provide the company with 10-year state income and franchise tax exemptions, as well as a sales and use tax exemption on construction materials, equipment and software and hardware replacements. The city of Meridian, Lauderdale County and electrical utility provider Mississippi Power Company also are assisting with the project. Mississippi Power will supply approximately 500 megawatts of power to the facility.
Data centers are a new type of utility, as critical to our day-to-day lives as power and water.
These large-scale buildings house and power numerous computer servers, which run the applications and services made possible online including business applications, online shopping, entertainment streaming, email services, digital file storage and more.
