"The non-disclosure agreement was a major sticking point in a lively town hall that featured city officials, data center representatives and more than a hundred frustrated residents."

"COLUMBIANA, Ala. — At first, no one knew about the non-disclosure agreement. 

Columbiana’s then-mayor, David Mitchell, had signed the secrecy agreement with DigiPowerX, a data center developer, without consulting City Council members or the public. 

The undated agreement, obtained by Inside Climate News through a public records request, prohibited Mitchell from disclosing any information the developer deemed confidential “whether in oral, written, graphic, electronic, or any other form.” Such information, the agreement outlined, was to be held “in strictest confidence for the sole and exclusive benefit” of the developer. 

Mitchell did not respond to a request for comment."

Lee Hedgepeth reports for Inside Climate News January 17, 2026. [2]