Amazon Challenged Over Data Center Valuations in Madison County

Amazon Web Services is contesting the value of its data center buildings in Canton, Mississippi. The county appraised the five buildings at $1.46 billion, while Amazon estimated them to be worth around $350 million.

The discrepancy has significant implications for tax revenue. Under a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with Madison County, Amazon is projected to pay approximately $230 million over six years, half of which will go toward repaying a state loan used to upgrade infrastructure.

A lower assessment would reduce the county's take by about 17%, resulting in tens of millions less in revenue for schools and infrastructure improvements. The dispute highlights concerns about data center valuations and their impact on local economies.