A city’s dream deal promised jobs, money. Then residents learned it was with Elon Musk.

The Washington Post ^ | June 1, 2025 6:00 a.m. EDT | Holly Bailey

[ShadowAce]

They questioned how the massive data center’s appetite for power would affect Memphis’s vulnerable electric grid, already prone to sustained blackouts.

It's a valid concern. I'd want a good plan from Musk on how he would manage the power demands.

[marktwain]

President Trump’s plan to increase energy production with oil, natural gas, nuclear, and coal is quite attractive.

A nuclear plant near Memphis would be very good for the city.

[Fledermaus]

I think he installs his own power generators. Advanced ones.

[No name given]

Very.

[No name given]

Good for him.

[vetvetdoug]

Musk would do well to avoid Memphis. It is a corrupt hellhole with corrupt DEI leadership and the worst crime in the US. The stench of Memphis has contaminated the surrounding communities and spread to Jackson, Tennessee, and Corinth, Mississippi. Downtown Memphis “tourism” is where one takes a risk of robbery if one strays off the main street. Businesses have bars on their windows and one has to “buzz in” to enter many businesses. Criminals have even taken to carjacking on the freeways that bypass Memphis. The Mid South Fair moved from Memphis to DeSoto County, Mississippi, because it wasn't safe being held in Memphis. One year a gunfight lasting over a half hour in the parking lot of the Mid South Fair catching busloads of people from out of town in the crossfire only to find the leaders and MPD denying that it ever happened.

[TexasFreeper2009]

blow them off Musk and built it here in Texas!!

[ShadowAce]

Both good answers.

I'd still like to them those (or something like those) as part of the written proposal.

Of course, I live nowhere near Memphis, so my opinion means squat.

[Bookshelf]

Pay to play with the Washington Post. Forget it!

[Jonty30]

It’s a good question to ask, but there really isn’t anything to worry about because Big Tech is reviving nuclear power to create the needed electricity for these things. They will be independent of the grid, basically.

[Fledermaus]

Memphis is my states butthole.

I hate even driving through it.

[pissant]

Better yet, buuldoze all of Memphis and make it a coal and nuclear power plant campus

[mass55th]

So they’re saying: “I’ll take a job...but not from HIM!!” Reeeeee!!

[StAnDeliver]

Actually Musk should put another SpaceX base dead center MEM, and then SpaceX launches could immolate Parkway Village and Oakhurst and ...

[marktwain]

I agree. Build it just North of Dallas.

Dallas is becoming a new Mecca for high tech.

[ShadowAce]

Dallas is becoming a new Mecca

Yup--as evidenced by EPIC.

[jeffersondem]

Memphis should go back to doing what it has recently proved it can do best: dig up and dishonor dead Tennessee soldiers and their spouses.

[No name given]

I can definitely see why.

[HYPOCRACY]

No residents said that. Gaslighting crap. Some politicians want graft and they’re picking the wrong guy to shake down.