xAI subsidiary buys five homes near its Southaven power plant
Property documents examined by The Guardian show five home purchases by an xAI subsidiary in Southaven, Mississippi, since October 9. A realtor described a much larger target in a recorded conversation, but the company did not confirm that figure. Residents are weighing buyout offers tied to waiving claims in a noise lawsuit that xAI contests.
Artificial Intelligence··Midday
MZX closes five home purchases
xAI operates three artificial intelligence data centers around Memphis and Southaven. The number of homes already acquired near its Southaven power plant has reached five, according to county documents checked by The Guardian. The buyer is the company’s subsidiary MZX, and the purchases date from October 9 onward. Southaven is in Mississippi, in the United States. A separate recording obtained by the newspaper captures a realtor discussing 418 properties as a target and describing 18 owners as willing sellers. The company left questions about that larger plan unanswered.[1]
Owners must give up noise-related claims
The offers come with a legal condition. In its letter to Colonial Hills homeowners, the company requires sellers to stay out of the lawsuit concerning noise from the plant. That action began with three residents in June. Their allegations concern continuing noise and vibration; xAI disputes them. Neighbors including plaintiff Jason Haley describe sleep interrupted by the turbines. The company previously changed power output and built walls intended to dampen sound.[1]
Employee housing is the mayor’s stated purpose
Local mayor Darren Musselwhite describes employee housing as the intended use, as does the realtor. Reactions differ between neighbors who want to leave and businesses welcoming more activity. A July agreement with state regulators provides for a permanent replacement gas plant by the following summer. The completed purchases and acquisition target come from The Guardian’s investigation alone; xAI has not confirmed the target.[1]
